nothing for it

there's nothing (else) for it (but to do something)

There is only a single course of action that can achieve the desired or necessary result; there is no alternative to a certain course of action. We finally had to trade in our old, much-beloved car to buy one that had more seats and more space; with three young kids, there was nothing else for it. The virus wreaked so much damage that I'm afraid there's nothing for it but to replace the entire computer infrastructure.

See also: for, nothing, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

nothing for it

Nothing else to be done; no alternative: "There is nothing for it but to wait for the end" (Samuel Beckett).

See also: for, nothing

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.