Meaning

"You've got to be kidding" means "I can't believe that." To kid is to joke, so the literal idea is "This must be a joke, because it can't be true." You say it when the news is surprising, and usually bad or annoying: a canceled flight, a higher price, a meeting moved to Saturday. People often add "me" at the end, and in fast speech it sounds like "you've gotta be kidding."

It is casual and very common. It shows strong feeling, so it's fine with friends and coworkers, but think twice before saying it to a customer or your boss's boss, where it can sound like you're blaming them. In those situations, "Really? That's a surprise" says the same thing more calmly. With a laugh, it can also greet good news: "You got the job? You've got to be kidding."

In a conversation

HarryAiko
  1. Harry
  2. Aiko
  3. Harry
  4. Aiko
  5. Harry

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Check yourself

1Aiko says "You've got to be kidding" when she hears about the gate. How does she feel?
2A customer tells you their order never arrived. Which reply is most professional?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then copy the rhythm. "Got" and "kid" carry the weight, and "to be" is quick and light.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.