Hobson's choice
[ hob-suh nz ]
/ ˈhɒb sənz /
noun
the choice of taking either that which is offered or nothing; the absence of a real alternative.
Origin of Hobson's choice
1640–50; after Thomas
Hobson (1544–1631), of Cambridge, England, who rented horses and gave his customer only one choice, that of the horse nearest the stable door
British Dictionary definitions for hobson's choice
Hobson's choice
/ (ˈhɒbsənz) /
noun
the choice of taking what is offered or nothing at all
Word Origin for Hobson's choice
C16: named after Thomas
Hobson (1544–1631), English liveryman who gave his customers no choice but had them take the nearest horse
Idioms and Phrases with hobson's choice
Hobson's choice
An apparently free choice that actually offers no alternative. For example, My dad said if I wanted the car I could have it tonight or not at all—that's Hobson's choice. This expression alludes to Thomas Hobson of Cambridge, England, who rented horses and allowed each customer to take only the horse nearest the stable door. [Mid-1600s]