by choice

Idioms  

1. Deliberately, as a matter of preference. For example, No one told me to come; I'm here by choice. This expression replaced the earlier with choice, used from about 1500.

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Example Sentences

Mired in a manufacturing recession, an eventual policy shift came not as much by choice as by necessity.

From The Wall Street Journal

It may be well-nigh impossible to call yourself a Gen Xer without recognizing a chorus or two from, say, Poison’s greatest hits, but that was not by choice.

From Salon

"I'm no longer the person I was, and that's not by choice."

From BBC

House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to make email the default for notices to brokerage customers, with paper always available by choice.

From Barron's

Although many said the grind has worn them down and prevented them from spending time with family and friends, they also said repeatedly that they work long hours by choice.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• deliberately
• freely
• intentionally
• spontaneously
• willingly