--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But something was going to give. He was…" description: "\"“But something was going to give. He was having a shit time at school and a shit time at home, and as home and school was all there was to it, just abo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e41/nick-hornby-325_time_but-something-was-going-to-give-he-was-h_1640078.png" --- # But something was going to give. He was having a shit time… ![“But something was going to give. He was having a shit time at school and a shit time at home, and as home and school was all there was to it, just about, that meant he was having a shit time all the time, apart from when he was asleep.” quote by Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e41/nick-hornby-325_time_but-something-was-going-to-give-he-was-h_1640078.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e41/nick-hornby-325_time_but-something-was-going-to-give-he-was-h_1640078.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e41/nick-hornby-325_time_but-something-was-going-to-give-he-was-h_1640078.png) > ““But something was going to give. He was having a shit time at school and a shit time at home, and as home and school was all there was to it, just about, that meant he was having a shit time all the time, apart from when he was asleep.”” [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character describes constant misery at home and school, indicating pervasive unhappiness that persists except during sleep. **In simple terms:** He feels miserable everywhere except when asleep. Key Takeaway Recognize persistent distress and seek help. Themes adversity mental‑health youth Mood somber empathetic Type literary emotional When to use this quote - school life - family conflict - mental health support Key Concepts depression environmental stress coping mechanisms Questions to Reflect On - What supports could alleviate his suffering? - How does environment shape mental health? A Different Perspective The quote may dramatize for effect; real experiences vary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Having Shit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having-shit-558263/) [Meant Having](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meant-having-558262/) [School Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school-just-234117/) [School Shit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school-shit-558261/) [Shit Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shit-time-475226/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Brushing your teeth before having breakfast is like wiping your ass before having a shit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/brushing-your-teeth-before-having-breakfast-is-like-wiping-your-ass/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Nothings worse than having diarrhea and having to shit in a wal-mart bathroom, until you sit down and find out there's no fucking paper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/nothings-worse-than-having-diarrhea-and-having-to-shit-in-a-wal-mart/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [“In high school, though, if you call someone out on their shit you get bullied. 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