You've got to be kidding

Meaning: An expression you say when someone tells you something ridiculous or silly.

Usage: This expression is used when someone says something surprising or that the statement seems not serious or true.

Explanation: "Kidding" is the same as joking. When a person hears something that is true, but it is not expected, the person will use this idiom to express that the statement is ridiculous. Another way of saying this is "Are you kidding?" or "Are you kidding me?".


Example Dialog 1

A: "Hey Jared. Mom told me to tell you that you shouldn't stay out too late."

B: "You've got to be kidding me. I'm 30 years old."


Example Dialog 2

A: "Patrick won the school election by two votes."

B: "He's not that popular. How did this happen?"

A: "Not everyone voted because they expected Jason to win."

B: "You've got to be kidding me."


Example Dialog 3

A: "Are you sure you can handle this by yourself?" 

B: "Are you kidding? I've done this hundreds of times."


Example Dialog 4

A: "The test is tomorrow." 

B: "Are you kidding me?!" 

A: "It's true. I kid you not."


Example Dialog 5

A: "He said he lost all the papers you gave him."

B: "You're kidding me!"


Example Dialog 6

A: Have you heard the news? John and Sarah are getting a divorce.

B: "Really, are you kidding me? I thought they were so in love. That's how I see it on social media.


Similar expressions:

"Are you serious?"

"Are you kidding me?"

"Are you kidding?

"You're kidding me, right?"

"Who are you kidding?"

"I kid you not."

"I'm not kidding."


DISCUSSION

  • Do you use any expression that's similar to "You've got to be kidding" in your own language?
  • When do you think you'll use this expression?
  • Can you think of a real situation when someone told you something ridiculous and you responded this way? 



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