reality check
26
3.9
- noun
- /riˈælɪti tʃɛk/
- Informal
:
toque de realidad
- The sudden increase in costs served as a harsh reality check for the budget plan they had created.
- serve as a reality check
I'm trying to give you a reality check.
- I'm trying to give you a reality check.
- Yeah, it kind of helped me get a reality check on what I was doing.
- And then boom, reality check, smashing my head against the table.
- These people are precious and can give you that essential reality check.
- I think him going to his parents house might be a reality check for him.
- And I got I got like a reality check.
- So maybe let's end this with not a cautionary tale, but maybe a reality check because we are dealing with a situation.
- But let me start off with a reality check on the Middle East, and let me start with the mayor.
- Like some of you all need a bit of a reality check I think because like what did you think was going to happen?
- And that gave me such a huge reality check in terms of the fact that I was not being grateful for what I have.
- So there was a massive reality check and my, you know, my bone of contention is the blessing of my kids and my grandchildren.
Examples
-
We're switching gears coming back to the US to get a reality check on HIV.
-
The program provides reality checks for students and parents about individual ability, potential, and need for training.
Academic text (2001) -
Yeah, it kind of helped me get a reality check on what I was doing.
-
I need to take a reality check.
-
But it's time for a reality check.
-
For someone who really wants to quit, this is exactly the reality check that makes change possible.
Blog text (13) -
The time has come for a reality check.
Academic text (1999) -
Discussions with friends and family members can be "reality checks" for online relationships.
Academic text (2002) -
Now's a good time to do a reality check and see where the project stands.
Blog text (16) -
Anyone who has ever prepared a plan can testify that no plan ever survives a reality check unchanged.
Academic text (1998)
Synonyms
52
6.6
A sudden clear idea that gives you new understanding
18
3.4
An event that makes people realize they must act or change what they do
16
4.4
An experience that makes you see something in a new way
Antonyms
How Shocking
- Specialized
304
4.8
567
2.3
- Informal
26
3.9
18
3.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an experience that makes someone face the true situation' follows directly from combining 'reality' (what is real) with 'check' (an inspection or test): a check on reality. This compositional, metaphor-light construction is a common, predictable English pattern and a B1 learner who knows both words should be able to infer the meaning.
Etymology
Reality check: The noun reality check comes from the image of testing reality with a check. Imagine you expect something to be easy, but a sudden problem stops you and shows the truth. That's why reality check means 'an event that makes someone realize the true situation'.