Meaning & use
path of least resistance
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Meanings
phraseidiom
the easiest way to do something, because it meets the least opposition or effort
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase, usually after 'take', 'follow' or 'choose': take the path of least resistance.
Patterns
- take the path of least resistance
- follow the path of least resistance
- the path of least resistance to something
When the team argued about the design, she took the path of least resistance and agreed with the loudest voice.
Managers often follow the path of least resistance instead of asking difficult questions.
For many students, copying a friend's notes is the path of least resistance.
phraseidiomtechnicalphysics
in physics, the route that a current, fluid or force follows because it meets the least opposition
Grammar: Technical use; often appears with 'electricity', 'current' or 'water' as the subject.
Patterns
- electricity takes the path of least resistance
- the path of least resistance for a current
Electricity takes the path of least resistance, which is why a short circuit can be dangerous.
Water running downhill finds the path of least resistance through the soil.
Common combinations
- take the path of least resistance
- He took the path of least resistance and avoided the argument.
- follow the path of least resistance
- If you always follow the path of least resistance, you may never improve.
- the path of least resistance to success
- There is no path of least resistance to success in medicine.
- choose the path of least resistance
- The council chose the path of least resistance and delayed the decision.
Synonyms and how they differ
- the easy way out
- This is more informal and often disapproving, suggesting you avoided a duty rather than simply chose the simplest option.
- the line of least resistance
- A very close variant, but it is less common and slightly more literary.
Opposites
Commonly confused: path of least resistance or resistance?
path of least resistance vs resistance
Learners sometimes write 'less resistance' instead of 'least resistance'; the idiom uses the superlative 'least'.
Practice
When the project became difficult, the team ___ the path of least resistance.
Choose one answer.
'Take the path of least resistance' is the standard collocation. 'Made' and 'did' do not combine naturally with 'path' in this idiom.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “path of least resistance”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.