reality check

American  

noun

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

---

reality check British  

noun

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

---

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]

---

Etymology

Origin of reality check

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Since investors who lived through that era are now retired, few on Wall Street can provide a reality check to keep the stagflation narrative from becoming greatly exaggerated.

From MarketWatch

I used the feature repeatedly in London this week for a reality check given the weaker dollar.

From The Wall Street Journal

Executing the strategy is far from straightforward and Third Bridge points out that “European defense growth ambitions could be due for a reality check.”

From MarketWatch

“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

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