Would Just As Soon A As B

[smeydiss]

What is the meaning of «would just as soon A as B»? Does it mean «prefer A to B»? or «prefer both A and B»?

for example: I would just as soon go for a walk as watch TV right now.

Thanks alot

[JimF]

Means not having a preference for one or the other.

[Atheist]

I think it means that both options are as appetising as each other.

[jno]

in theory it means either would do equally well.

In practice, I suspect people say it when someone has first mentioned watching TV so another says "I'd just as soon go for a walk", which suggests that is the alternative on their mind, and therefore the thing they'd rather do.

[elliemay1]

//would just as soon do A (as B) somebody wants to do one thing as much as another thing; it does not matter to somebody what they do: Susan can have my ticket for the show. I'd just as soon stay at home (as go out) anyway.//

[Jackdaw33]

/I think it means that both options are as appetising as each other.\

In the sense of unappetising. I'd rather do neither.

[ichkeria]

As jno indicates, it effectively means “I prefer A”

[Buenchico]

"Would just as soon" seems to get used two ways. It can either express a preference or simply a lack of one.

For example, if someone is asked if they'd like to go for a walk, with the reply "I would just as soon stay in", they're actually saying that they'd prefer to stay in.

However if I was to say that "I would just as soon go to McDonalds as to La Gavroche", I'm not actually saying that I want to go to McDonalds, or even that I'd actually enjoy going there; I'm simply expressing a total lack of interest in dining in posh restaurants like La Gavroche.