- Home
- Idioms
- gotta
gotta
a man's got to do what a man's got to do
A man must do what he feels needs to be done, even if it is dangerous or undesirable. Sometimes said ironically. It might be dangerous delivering water to the refugees, but a man's got to do what a man's got to do. I know it's a lot of cotton candy to eat, but a man's got to do what a man's got to do.
you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette
Sometimes, you have to do unpleasant things in order to complete a task or meet a goal. Your students clearly don't respect you. I know you don't want to yell at them, but you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette. If I don't cut people's salaries, the company is going to go bankrupt. It's unfortunate, but you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette.
gotta get up pretty early in the morning to (do something)
Rur. it would be difficult to do something (specified) because of the ability or quality involved. You gotta get up pretty early in the morning to cheat Bill Johnson. He's a sharp businessman for sure. You gotta get up pretty early in the morning to know your Bible better than Preacher Harris.
I've got to fly.
and l('ve) gotta fly.; (I've) got to fly.Fig. Inf. I have to leave right now. Time's up. I've got to fly. I've gotta fly. See you later.
You got to do what you got to do.
and A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.One has to do whatever it is that one feels obliged to do. I know I wouldn't ever agree to that kind of thing, but you got to do what you got to do.
A man's got to do what a man's got to do.
(humorous) something men say when they are going to do something which may be unpleasant or which they are pretending will be unpleasant as a joke
Usage notes: From a similar line in John Steinbeck's book, Grapes of Wrath and often used in films.
I hate catching spiders. Still, a man's got to do what a man's got to do. I’ve got to fly
and I(‘ve) gotta fly sent. I have to leave right now. I’ve gotta fly. See you later.
I‘ve gotta fly
verbI gotta fly
verb