It's a wash. It's six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Forums: English, Esl, Grammar, English As A Second Language, Learning English
Email this Topic • Print this Page

Hi all.

I learned these two interesting expressions :
It's a wash.
It's six of one, half a dozen of the other.

I've heard of the former from movies, but not the latter from anywhere.
I wonder if the latter is commonly used by native speakers.
Is the second one widely used?

And I'd like to know if the two have almost the same connotation
that it's not easy to tell how they differ or there is huge difference in their meanings.

What I heard is that the latter is usually used in a negative way implying that
one is no less worse than the other, while the former expression isn't used like that.
Is that correct?

I'd love to hear any comment from you guys.
Thank you for reading.
Have a good day you all.

Topic Stats
Top Replies
Link to this Topic

Type: Question • Score: 2 • Views: 824 • Replies: 12

No top replies

View best answer, chosen by SMickey

@SMickey,

In my experience, both idioms are used regularly.

I hear, and use, the second one more than the first.

They are very similar. In my personal experience, the first is used somewhat more often when discussing test/research/survey results.

1 Reply

@SMickey,

SMickey wrote:

I've heard of the former from movies, but not the latter from anywhere.

this ^doesn't make a lot of sense.

if you haven't heard of the latter anywhere, how did you come across it?

1 Reply

@SMickey,

What it means is that there's no significant difference between the two things, circumstances or ideas.

They're both used (spoke/written) equally and mean the same thing. There is no inherent negative interpretation of the phrase. In other words it is not intended to mean the lesser of two evils , unless someone is actually comparing two bad circumstances. Likewise, if you are comparing two good circumstances it can apply to that as well - it's neutral.

1 Reply

@SMickey,

Quote:

And I'd like to know if the two have almost the same connotation
that it's not easy to tell how they differ or there is huge difference in their meanings.

They are similar, in the sense that both conclude that there is "no real difference," but they mean and imply different things to me.

"It's a wash" suggests that two things "cancel each other out." The gain from any advantage acquired is offset by a loss of an equivalent amount. The "cancellation" aspect need not apply to the other phrase.

1 Reply

@SMickey,

Layman is just as happy to receive either the red riband from you or a get out of jail free card for his erudite analysis.

It's six of one and half a dozen of the other to him.

1 Reply

@ehBeth,

Thank you ehBeth.
Now I think I can use that having no doubt about its usage.

0 Replies

@ehBeth,

Haha. You're sharp.
I should've said 'barely heard of it', to be precise.
Thank you.

1 Reply

@Ragman,

So I don't really need to narrow it down to negativity then.
Thank you. You've been always very helpful which I'm grateful for.

0 Replies

@layman,

In that 'It's a wash' includes the connotation of 'cancellation',
I assume it covers, if slightly, wider range of meaning then.
Thank you.

1 Reply

@Miss L Toad,

Haha. Funny. Thanks.

0 Replies

@SMickey,

Or, you could have written, "I had heard of the former from movies, but not the latter from anywhere," and, perhaps, explain where you came across the latter.

0 Replies

@SMickey,

Quote:

In that 'It's a wash' includes the connotation of 'cancellation',
I assume it covers, if slightly, wider range of meaning then.
Thank you.

You're welcome. The way I look at it, though, is that's "it's a wash" covers a narrower, not wider, range of meaning, because it has specific limitations to it's applicability.

0 Replies

It's a wash. It's six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Related Topics

Quick Links

My Account

able2know