Six of one, half a dozen of the other

Meaning

"Six of one, half a dozen of the other" is an idiom that means two options or choices are equivalent or indifferent; it doesn't really matter which one you choose because they are essentially the same. It suggests that there is no significant difference between the two alternatives.

Usage

• "I don't know what to eat for breakfast. Six of one, half a dozen of the other, I guess."
• "The new smartphone and its predecessor have almost identical features. It's six of one, half a dozen of the other."
• "We can either take the bus or train to the city. It doesn't really matter, it's six of one, half a dozen of the other."
• "Which movie should we watch? The new release or the classic? It's six of one, half a dozen of the other."
• "I forgot my umbrella at home. No worries, I can always use my raincoat. It's six of one, half a dozen of the other." The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context. For instance, it can be used in informal or formal conversations, and in different regions, cultures, or countries.

Roots and History

The origin of this idiom is unclear, but it has been in use since at least the 15th century. One theory suggests that it may have come from a game played by children, where they would drop six stones into a bag and then pick out half a dozen to keep, leaving "six of one" in the bag. Another theory is that it originated from the practice of dividing things into two equal portions, leaving "six of one" or "half a dozen of the other." Over time, the usage and meaning of this idiom may have evolved, but its core concept remains the same. It suggests that there is no significant difference between two options or choices, making it an often useful expression in everyday conversation.

Synonyms in English

• "It doesn't matter which one you choose."
• "Either way, it's still the same result."
• "The differences are negligible."
• "You can take your pick."
• "It's all the same to me."

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Il ne faut pas avoir trop d'attention sur les détails." (It's not important to pay too much attention to details.)
• Spanish: "El resultado es el mismo." (The outcome is the same.)
• German: "Es ist nicht wichtig, wo du gehst." (It doesn't matter where you go.)
• Italian: "Il luogo non cambia la natura della cosa." (The place doesn't change the nature of things.)
• Japanese: "何かが変わらない" (Something is unchanged)

Similar Idioms

• snowball effect

• stand a chance

• slam dunk