Something s Got To Give

Something's Got To Give

Things are building up
"Something's gotta give" means that things are building up and the speaker expects that whatever is supporting everything is going to break under the pressure. This can be (and often is) used figuratively.

What does something's got to give mean?
("Got to" is often contracted into the informal word "gotta" in this phrase.)

You can't keep working these long hours without making any time for yourself or your family. Something's gotta give, Sam. I know you and Barry don't see eye to eye on this, but the business is suffering with you two locked in this standoff.

Something has got to give!


Something's got to give - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

What does something'sgottagot to give mean?
In "something's gotta (got to) give," "give" is about leeway, wiggle room. A pair of pants with an elastic waist has "give." An expansion strip in the road offers some "give." A good pair of trousers should have a bit of "give."