Hobson's choice

[ hob-suhnz ]

noun

1. the choice of taking either that which is offered or nothing; the absence of a real alternative.

Hobson's choice

/ ˈhɒbsənz /

noun

1. the choice of taking what is offered or nothing at all

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hobson's choice¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hobson's choice¹

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

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]

Example Sentences

The Utah decision shows that the Supreme Court may have assigned itself a sort of Hobson’s choice: binding itself to the biases of the 19th century or embracing a looser, principle-driven approach that is quite different from the vision of history and tradition the conservative justices have embraced.

From Slate

After leaving his soap work, Savident appeared on stage in productions of panto Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs and Harold Brighouse's Hobson's Choice.

From BBC

Former acting Solicitor General Neal Kaytal said the ex-president will face a "Hobson's choice" to either answer questions or invoke his Fifth Amendment rights.

From Salon

They are caught off guard by the sudden change, and then face a Hobson’s choice — a choice where only one option is realistically feasible.

From Seattle Times

If the courts embrace the Copyright Office’s misguided approach, it could hamper the deployment of AI and ChatGPT among American artists, businesses and media, which will be left with a Hobson’s choice: qualify for copyright or use AI.

From Washington Post