Hobson (en. Hobson)

[hɒb.sən]

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

A limited choice between two options, usually where one is unacceptable.

Take the bus or not go to work, that’s the hobson of my situation.

Prendre le bus ou ne pas aller au travail, tel est le hobson de ma situation.

A decision where only one favorable option is presented with undesirable consequences.

The manager presented a hobson to the team: accept a pay cut or lose their job.

Le dirigeant a présenté un hobson à l'équipe : accepter la réduction de salaire ou perdre leur emploi.

The term 'hobson's choice' comes from the time when Hobson, an English horse rental, only offered the most worn-out horses to his clients.

Hobson's choice

A choice between two options, one of which is clearly disadvantageous.

Hobson's choice

To have a hobson

To be offered an option with no real alternative.

Avoir un hobson

choice

The action of choosing between several options.

choix

alternative

An option that can be chosen from a given set.

alternative

Unacceptable choice

It's a hobson, we just have to make do.

C'est un hobson, il ne reste plus qu'à faire avec.

No real option

When the boss decided, it was a hobson for everyone.

Quand le patron a décidé, c'était un hobson pour tous.