Something has to give . . .

[shootingstar]

. . . , her phone vibrated in her hand.
. . .
'Oh hi, Doreen.'
An agitated voice. 'Where were you?'
She'd totally forgotten. What time is it?
'I've had a really crap day. I'm so sorry.'
'We waited outside your flat for an hour.'
'I can still do Leo's lesson when I get back. I'll be be five minutes.'
'Too late. He's with his dad now for three days.'
'Oh, Im sorry. I'M so sorry.'
She was a waterfall of apologies. She was drowning in herself.
'To be honest, Nora, he's been thinking about giving up altogether.'
'But he's so good.'
'He's really enjoyed it. But he's too busy. Exams, mates, football.
Something has to give . . . '
'He has a real talent. I've got him into bloody Chopin. Please -- '
A deep, deep sigh. 'Bye, Nora.'

(The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, episode Antimatter)

What word or phrase could complement and complete the underlined sentence to make sense?

 

[jutfrank]

Nothing. The ellipsis (three dots) doesn't mean any words are missing. It means her voice trailed off.

If you're asking what 'something has to give' means, it means that something has to go. He can't do everything. He has to give up something, and it's probably going to be the piano lessons.

 

[teechar]

What word or phrase could complement and complete the underlined sentence to make sense?

Did your teacher give you that question?

 

[shootingstar]

Did your teacher give you that question?

No, no one does give me any question (disregarding the book I'm reading ) Might my question be worded wrong (edit)? Why does probus "like" your question (edit)?

 

[shootingstar]

Nothing. The ellipsis (three dots) doesn't mean any words are missing. It means her voice trailed off.

Interesting . Thank you very much. I didn't expect that.

 

[emsr2d2]

No, no one does gives me any questions (disregarding with the exception of the book I'm reading. )

There was no need for the auxiliary "does". The simple present is sufficient.
An emoji is never a suitable replacement for a closing punctuation mark.

Might this question be put worded wrong?

Which question?

Why does did probus "like" your question?

Only probus can answer that.

 

[shootingstar]

Why does did probus "like" your question?

Thank you. Why do you use the past simple there? (I think you'll as well find fault with my use of present simple here, right?) I learned I can use the present simple to talk about feelings and reactions at the moment of speaking. I think that's true when asking "Why does probus "like" your question?".

 

[shootingstar]

Did your teacher give you that question?

Why did teechar ask this question?

 

[Rover_KE]

He wanted to know if your teacher asked you the question.

 

[shootingstar]

He wanted to know if your teacher asked you the question.

OK, I see. Then my misgivings are invalid. Thank you.