the lesser of two evils

a choice or option that seems less harmful or unpleasant out of two that one is confronted with

The idiom "the lesser of two evils" can be traced back to ancient Greek philosophy, particularly the works of Aristotle. Aristotle introduced the concept of "choosing the lesser of two evils" as a means of ethical decision-making. However, the exact phrase itself gained popularity in English literature during the 19th century. It was used by various authors and thinkers to describe the act of selecting the option that is perceived to have the least negative consequences when faced with two unfavorable choices.

In the election, voters felt they had to choose the lesser of two evils, as both candidates had significant flaws.
The company had to decide between laying off employees or reducing salaries, opting for the lesser of two evils to minimize the impact on the workforce.
In the film, the protagonist had to decide whether to betray a friend or face dire consequences—a classic example of choosing the lesser of two evils.
The political leader reluctantly supported a controversial policy as the lesser evil to prevent a more extreme and harmful alternative from gaining power.
The doctor, in a difficult medical situation, had to administer a medication with potential side effects as the lesser evil to save the patient's life.