Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
youre-you-must-be-youve-got-to-be-joking
idiomatic expression
/jʊər jʊ mʌst bi jʊv gɒt tu bi ˈdʒoʊkɪŋ/
Definition
A humorous expression used to convey disbelief or incredulity toward something that seems too outrageous or unbelievable to be true.
Examples
- When he said he could run a marathon without training, I thought, ‘You’re—you must be—you’ve got to be joking.’
- She told me she’d quit her job to travel the world for a year, and I just couldn’t believe it: ‘You’re—you must be—you’ve got to be joking!’
Meaning
This phrase is typically used when someone hears something surprising or absurd, suggesting that the speaker cannot take the statement seriously.
Synonyms
- You must be kidding
- No way
- Are you serious?
- You can’t be serious
