reality check

American  

noun

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

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reality check British  

noun

1. an occasion or opportunity to consider a matter realistically or honestly

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reality check Idioms  

1. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of reality check

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Team members also serve as a reality check, helping to weed out bad ideas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

“I knock on doors every election cycle because to me, that’s the reality check of where people really are in terms of their lives.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

Heated Rivalry’s progressive, hockey-curious audience gets a reality check from the US Men’s team in Italy.

From Slate • Feb. 26, 2026

But the State of Natural Resources report's stark findings provide a "reality check" that should put the environment "at the heart of every decision, every policy and every investment Wales makes".

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

“A lot of stuff can make you anxious. I’m sorry you’ve been carrying around something like that. What a thing to be thinking about! But sometimes everyone needs a reality check, right?”

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman