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Hobson's choice

   Also found in: Idioms, Wikipedia 0.06 sec.
Hob·son's choice  (hbsnz)
n.
An apparently free choice that offers no real alternative.
[After Thomas Hobson (1544?-1630), English keeper of a livery stable, from his requirement that customers take either the horse nearest the stable door or none.]
Hobson's choice
Noun
the choice of taking what is offered or nothing at all [after Thomas Hobson, liveryman who gave his customers no choice]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.Hobson's choice - the choice of taking what is offered or nothing at all
alternative, option, choice - one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen; "what option did I have?"; "there no other alternative"; "my only choice is to refuse"
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More and more Americans are rightly frustrated that the debate on Iraq among policy-makers and politicians has ossified into a Hobson's choice between "staying the course" and "cutting and running.
Breathing room: stepping back to move forward in Iraq by Biden, Joseph R., Jr. / The National Interest
If it turns out the building rents, beware because one day (maybe years down the road) when you least expect it, the building may be faced with the Hobson's choice of renewing the lease at some exorbitant rate or buying the land outright, which could result in skyrocketing maintenance and--in the case of purchase--an unsustainable debt burden.
Back to basics: Co-op and condo fundamentals matter by Shapiro, Sylvia / Real Estate Weekly
The attorney general appears content with saddling Karouni with the Hobson's choice of either returning to Lebanon and facing persecution for future homosexual acts or living a life of celibacy," wrote Judge Harry Pregerson in the Karouni decision.
Escaping abuse overseas: gay men from conservative countries are ... by Hudson, Mike / The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine)
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