HOBSON'S CHOICE


Meaning of HOBSON'S CHOICE in English

/ ˌhɒbsnz ˈtʃɔɪs; NAmE ˌhɑːb-/ noun

[ U ] a situation in which sb has no choice because if they do not accept what is offered, they will get nothing

ORIGIN: From Tobias Hobson, a man who hired out horses in the 17th century. He gave his customers the choice of the horse nearest the stable door or none at all.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.