fish or cut bait

Definitions

To make a decision, especially after a period of delay; to either take action now or forgo the opportunity.

idiomatic

Examples

“It's time to fish⟳ or cut⟳ bait: either we buy⟳ this house now, or we must start⟳ looking for another one.”

“The admiral . . . may stay⟳ in the bay and keep⟳ approaches to the city of Manila tightly closed for a long time to come⟳, until perhaps some demand⟳ from the governments of Europe that the United States fish⟳ or cut⟳ bait comes in such shape⟳ that it must be heeded.”

“"The Mayor cannot straddle this question⟳ any longer—he must either fish⟳ or cut⟳ bait."”

“"One of the attributes of an administrator is his ability to stick⟳ his neck out, to open⟳ his mouth and say⟳ something, to decide⟳ what side of the fence he is on and to take⟳ a stand⟳ there, to fish⟳ or cut⟳ bait, to put⟳ up or shut⟳ up," she says.”

““She told him fish⟳ or cut⟳ bait. Her and the kid, or him and the Army. He chose the Army.””

CEFR level