Hobson's choice是什么意思

双语例句

(1)Thus, a Hobson's choice was really no choice.

因此，“霍布森的选择”实际上是指别无选择。

(2)If you want a yellow car, it 's Hobson's choice.

如果你想开黄色的小轿车，这是你唯一的选择。

(3)I hate to be caught in this Hobson's choice: work without salary or lay off.

我讨厌陷入霍布森设置的选择：不是白干，就是下岗。【正译】我讨厌这种没有选择的选择：不是白干，就是下岗。

(4)By the time we got to the bar it was Hobson's choice - white wine or nothing.

我们到达酒吧时，已经没有选择的余地了-除了白葡萄酒以外其它什么也没有。

(5)One of these expressions is Hobson's choice. It often is used to describe a difficult choice. But that is not what it really means. Its real meaning is to have no choice at all.

而其中一个表便是霍布森的选择。它常被用来描述一个困难的抉择。但这还不是这个表语的确切含义。它真正的含义是根本别无选择。

释义

n.

a choice of taking what is available or nothing at all

无选择余地的选择。

词源

"mid 17th cent.: named after Thomas Hobson　（1554—1631）, a Cambridge carrier who hired out horses, giving the customer the ‘choice' of the one nearest the door or none at all."