Two of Finn and Feifei’s colleagues are having an argument. Finn asked Feifei who started the argument. Which expression did Feifei use in her answer? What does her expression mean?
Finn
Hello, I’m Finn.
Feifei
Hi, I’m Feifei. Sorry I’m late – Peter and Dave are having an argument in the kitchen. I was trying to calm them down.
Finn
Oh, really? What are they arguing about?
Feifei
Something about who spilled the milk – it was getting very heated.
Finn
Oh, no. Who started the argument?
Feifei
Hmm, I don’t really know, I think it’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.
Finn
Good expression, Feifei.
Feifei
Thank you, Finn. I learnt this phrase just the other day. I think I can use it in this situation, can’t I?
Finn
Yes, indeed you can. We normally use ‘six of one, half a dozen of the other’ when we think there is very little difference between two choices. We also use it when two people are equally responsible for something. Now, let’s hear some examples.
Examples
A: I don’t know whether to give my mum flowers or chocolates for Mother’s Day.
B: It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.
A: Do you think we should take the third ring road instead of the second ring road?
B: Oh, I don’t know, it’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.
A: They keep blaming each other – whose fault was it really?
B: Oh, it was six of one, half a dozen of the other.
Feifei
So remember you can use ‘six of one, half a dozen of the other’ when two choices are very similar and it doesn’t really matter which one you choose.
Finn
Yes, that’s right. Ah, sorry Feifei, wait a sec, I need to go now.
Feifei
Where are you going?
Finn
I’m going to dinner with Sophia. Quick, help me decide – should I wear this blue shirt? Or this pink one?
Feifei
You know what I am about to say, don’t you?
Finn
The pink one?
Feifei
No, they are very similar. It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other…
Finn
Oh, you’re not helping! I’m off, bye.
Feifei
Wait…
The story An investigation by the United Nations, called a 'commission of inquiry', has found…
The story A boy who died at the age of 15 has been made a…
The story A major aftershock has hit eastern Afghanistan, just days after an earthquake measuring…
The story A study in Taiwan has found that peoples' biological age increases when they…
The story Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to the White House on Monday to meet…
The story The charity Prostate Cancer UK, says that the UK is treating too many…