Meaning: A choice in which there is no real alternative
Hindi: विवशतापूर्ण चुनाव, कोई विकल्प न होना
Synonyms: no choice at all
Asked in: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Higher Secondary Level) · SSC Steno 2026 T-1 · SSC CGL 2025 T-1 · SSC CHSL 2021 T-1
hobson's choice in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CGL 2025 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of idiom: Hobson's choice
Answer & explanation
Answer: C) No real choice at all
'Hobson's choice' means a choice in which only one option is offered — i.e., effectively no real choice at all.
It is not a dilemma between two evils (that is 'Catch-22').
Hence, the answer is 'No real choice at all'. - SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Higher Secondary Level) Idioms & Phrases
In the following sentence, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which gives the correct meaning of the underlined idiom or phrase.
The explorer knew that entering the uncharted jungle was a Hobson's choice between certain hunger or dangerous predators.Answer & explanation
Answer: C) A situation with no real choice at all
Meaning: Hobson's choice = a "choice" that is no choice at all — take what is offered or nothing *(कोई विकल्प न होना, मजबूरी का चुनाव)*.
The explorer must face either *certain hunger* or *dangerous predators* — no genuinely good option.
Origin.
Thomas Hobson (1544–1631), a Cambridge stable-keeper, hired out horses on one condition: the customer took the horse nearest the stable door or none at all.
Why the others are wrong.
#B A wide variety of excellent choices *(ढेरों अच्छे विकल्प)* — the opposite; that is being *spoilt for choice*.
#B A very difficult decision between friends *(दोस्तों के बीच कठिन निर्णय)* — that is *a dilemma* or being *torn between* two; Hobson's choice has nothing to - SSC Steno 2026 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
What does the idiom ‘Hobson’s choice’ mean?
Answer & explanation
Answer: B) No real choice at all
Meaning: Hobson's choice = no real choice at all — one thing is on offer, take it or leave it *(कोई वास्तविक विकल्प नहीं, 'यही लो या कुछ नहीं')*.
Thomas Hobson, a stable-keeper in Cambridge in the 1600s, hired out horses, but a customer had to take the horse standing nearest the door — or take none.
So the offer looks like a choice and is in fact only one option, which is exactly what the idiom names.
Why the others are wrong.
• a free option = a choice made without cost or pressure *(बिना शुल्क या दबाव का विकल्प)* — the idiom is about the absence of alternatives, not about cost.
• two equal options = two alternatives of the same value *(दो बराबर विकल्प)* — that is a dilemma; Hobson offered
Examples
- “With only one bus available, it was a Hobson's choice for commuters.”
hobson's choice – questions
What is the meaning of hobson's choice in Hindi?
hobson's choice means “विवशतापूर्ण चुनाव, कोई विकल्प न होना” in Hindi. In English: A choice in which there is no real alternative
What are the synonyms of hobson's choice?
Synonyms of hobson's choice: no choice at all.
Has hobson's choice been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – hobson's choice has been asked 4 times in SSC exams: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Higher Secondary Level), SSC Steno 2026 T-1, SSC CGL 2025 T-1, SSC CHSL 2021 T-1.