Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

hobson's choice

noun

ˈhɒb.sənz ˌtʃɔɪs

Definition

A situation in which there is no real choice at all, but only one option presented as a choice.

Examples

If you want to eat in this restaurant, it’s a hobson’s choice because the only meal available is the special of the day.
When the manager said the only way to keep the job was to accept the pay cut, it felt like a hobson’s choice.
For the students, the only available course was a hobson’s choice because other popular classes were full.

Meaning

The phrase ‘Hobson’s choice’ refers to a scenario where a person is given an option that is actually no choice because any alternative is worse or non-existent.