one or the other

idiom

: one of two persons or things but not the other

One or the other of us will have to go.

Examples of one or the other in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the last 10 seasons, the 2016 Cavs and 2021 Bucks were the only champions to not have either a top 10 clutch defense or net rating, and only the 2014 Spurs and 2020 Lakers had one or the other. —Esfandiar Baraheni, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024

Unfortunately, there is no resolution until the religious/political philosophies of one or the other experience a radical change. —Letters To The Editor, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024

Well, some songs reflect one or the other of us in particular. —Billboard Italy, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024

Passengers flying with a carry-on pet, however, will not be able to bring a large carry-on item that fits in the overhead bin and a personal item at the same time, and must choose one or the other. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2024

As long as all jurors agree to one or the other, the crime of involuntary manslaughter has been proven. —Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 5 Feb. 2024

Most of those voters also, when asked, ultimately expressed a preference for one or the other candidate, indicating that their distaste isn't necessarily enough to drive them to vote third party. —Kaleigh Rogers, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2024

Show us both as moms and workers, don’t just show one or the other. —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024

Some have attempted to square people off in a binary choice between one or the other–innovation or safety. —Ann Skeet, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2024