have to

Idioms  

1. Also, have got to. Be obliged to, must. For example, We have to go now, or He has got to finish the paper today. The use of have as an auxiliary verb to indicate obligation goes back to the 16th century; the variant using got dates from the mid-1800s.

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Example Sentences

Under current rules, 80 MPs would have to nominate a specific opponent, which would then trigger a leadership election lasting weeks or months, conducted among the 350,000 or so registered Labour Party members.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

‘We love the U.S., but now there is a reality in which we have to cut our losses and stop coming,’ one band said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

These countries still have to broadcast, perform and vote in one of the semi-finals.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

He added that Warsh will not simply be able to impose his will on the central bank, and will have to work with his fellow policymakers.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

“Then I have to start painting for real.”

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith