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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reality check

Moderna’s experimental cancer vaccine is getting a reality check, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

This past week came the details, and a reality check.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2026

He frames his deeply researched four-hour psych eval “Musk” as the reality check we all need when the world’s richest, most cult-powerful human keeps pushing migration to Mars.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

"The effects of war reach into the safest parts of the world," added the university student, saying it was a "bit of a reality check".

From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026

"Of course she does. But she has you around to give her a reality check from time to time."

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

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