"What's the alternative?"

HOWELSE

Think of a phrase you might say when presenting another option, often used in discussions or debates to introduce a contrasting idea.

The clue plays on the phrase "what else," which is a common way to ask for an alternative. Here, "what's the alternative" hints at the word "else," but the answer combines it with "how" to form "HOW ELSE," written as one word. It’s a straightforward charade where "how" + "else" gives the solution, with the question mark signaling a bit of wordplay.