Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
1,803,757,606 visitors served.
forum mailing list For webmasters
?
New: Language forums
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

Hobson's choice

   Also found in: Idioms, Wikipedia 0.02 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 [ˈhɒbsənz]
n
the choice of taking what is offered or nothing at all
[named after Thomas Hobson (1544-1631), English liveryman who gave his customers no choice but had them take the nearest horse]
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"
Translations
Hobson's choice [ˈhɒbsənzˈtʃɔɪs] N (Brit) → opción f única
it's Hobson's choice → o lo tomas o lo dejas
Hobson's choice [ˈhɒbs/ənzˈtʃɔɪs] n it's Hobson's choice → è una questione di prendere o lasciare
Hobson's choice [ˈhɒbs/ənzˈtʃɔɪs] n it's Hobson's choice → è una questione di prendere o lasciare


How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
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)
More results
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.