par for the course

Idioms  

1. An average or normal amount; just what one might expect. For example, I missed three questions, but that's par for the course. This term comes from golf, where it refers to the number of strokes needed by an expert golfer to finish the entire course. Its figurative use for other kinds of expectation dates from the second half of the 1900s.

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Example Sentences

The court’s ruling was in some ways par for the course in that it marked yet another rejection of a 5th Circuit’s ruling.

From Slate • Jun. 18, 2026

Losses are par for the course in the quantum sector, but Quantinuum’s revenue actually declined in the latest quarter while its losses ballooned.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

When asked about an article reporting that Frost had been proscribed sleeping pills, Lampert said: "We wouldn't ever report that sort of information now, but that was par for the course then."

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

But in “Industry,” that’s all par for the course.

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2026

“This castle, though, sounds pretty much par for the course for us. So, I guess we know where we’re going next.”

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

Related Words

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