Phrase guide

one's got to do what one's got to do

phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

phrase

Meaning 1

A person must do what they feel is necessary or imperative.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: ein Mann muss tun, was ein Mann eben tun muss — do what a person feels is to be done by themselves
  • German: tun, was man nicht lassen kann — do what a person feels is to be done by themselves
  • Polish: rób to, co musisz — do what a person feels is to be done by themselves