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reality check

American

noun

a corrective confronting of reality, in order to counteract one's expectations, prejudices, or the like.

reality check British

noun

an occasion or opportunity to consider a matter realistically or honestly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

reality check Idioms

An assessment to determine if one's circumstances or expectations conform to reality, as in Time for a reality check—wasn't this supposed to be a money-making enterprise? [Slang; second half of 1900s]

Etymology

Origin of reality check

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The manner in which England dismantled Croatia raised expectation and excitement levels, but this was a brutal reality check as Ghana's resilience, physicality and organisation built an insurmountable barrier.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026

A reality check on the Chinese model is in order.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 23, 2026

Stay for a great reality check on A.I., and an optimistic read on the interaction between machine and human intelligence.

From Slate • Jun. 22, 2026

It might also serve as something of a reality check.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026

Adam blanches at this sudden reality check and Brooke raises her eyebrows in a stern rebuke.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023