ESL Podcast 523 - Having Trouble Making a Decision

consumer review - a short paragraph written by someone who has bought and used a product, sharing his or her experience and recommending that other people do or don't buy it

Dido likes to read the consumer reviews on the Internet before she buys a book.

to weigh (one's) options - to carefully consider all of one's choices and determine which one is best

Ahmed has received acceptance letters from five colleges, and now he's weighing his options, trying to decide which one to go to.

to keep (one's) options open - to not make a decision yet, so that one can still have many choices

Why do you want to hire a new employee so quickly? I think you should keep your options open and wait until you're sure you've found the right person.

to make up (one's) mind - to make a decision; to know what one will do

I went to the store to buy some ice cream, but there were so many flavors that I couldn't make up my mind, so I bought one of each!

to hesitate - to wait to make a decision; to delay; to not do something right away

Please don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions.

option - choice; one of many things that one can select or choose

This camera has three color options: black, silver, or red.

logically - rationally; with clear thinking

Logically, it doesn't make sense to buy such an expensive car, but I really like this model.

analysis - careful research and examination of something to understand it better

The researchers are conducting an analysis of recent weather patterns to better understand winter weather.

to live with the decision - to accept the consequences of what one has decided or chosen

Are you sure you want to get a tattoo? You'll have to live with the decision for the rest of your life!

to haunt (someone) - for someone to be bothered, worried, or concerned about something bad that happened in the past, or about a bad decision that one has made

Memories of the war have always haunted his grandfather.

crippled - unable to do something; unable to work properly or correctly

The U.S. economy is crippled by the high cost of healthcare.

indecision - an inability to decide what to do; not being able to make a decision

You've been talking about your indecision for weeks. How can I help you make a decision?

to stall - to delay doing something; to do many other unimportant things so that one doesn't have to do something yet

Kai always stalls before bedtime, asking his parents to read him another story, get him a glass of water, and rub his back before he falls asleep.

electronics store - a store that sells electronics such as televisions, stereos, computers, and telephones

Did you buy your fax machine online or at an electronics store?

to regret - to wish that one hadn't done something, or to wish that something hadn't happened

Do you ever regret becoming a police officer?

to hold (someone) to (something) - to make someone keep a promise; to make sure someone does what he or she has said he or she will do

You said you'd take the kids to the zoo this weekend, and I'm going to hold you to it!