it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it

proverb

The job is a particularly difficult and undesirable one.

“Most days, firefighters get paid to do nothing at all. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it!”

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Meanings

proverb
  1. literallyThe job is a particularly difficult and undesirable one.

    Firefighters have to put themselves in serious danger in order to save lives. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.

  2. colloquialhumorousironicThe role or assignment is a particularly attractive or desirable one.

    Most days, firefighters get paid to do nothing at all. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it!

Cite this entry
APA

it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/it's%20a%20tough%20job%2C%20but%20someone's%20got%20to%20do%20it

MLA

“it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/it's%20a%20tough%20job%2C%20but%20someone's%20got%20to%20do%20it. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/it's%20a%20tough%20job%2C%20but%20someone's%20got%20to%20do%20it.

Source: it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.