rude awakening
Britishnoun
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.
"Worrying", "freefall" and "rude awakening" were all bandied around in the immediate aftermath of the club's heaviest ever two-legged European defeat as new boss Wouter Vrankcen's tenure got off to a rocky start.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
Americans who thought spring break would offer rest and relaxation after a tough winter may be in for a rude awakening.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 9, 2026
Leeds' sublime second goal in the 43rd minute was a rude awakening for Chelsea's title prospects.
From Barron's ● Dec. 3, 2025
The Eddie Murphy vehicle chronicles a hotshot advertising executive’s rude awakening after a merger leaves him with a new boss.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 29, 2025
They’re going to have a rude awakening anyway because they’re headed next door to Mrs. Franklin’s house, and she doesn’t like when people come by unannounced.
From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
