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

Now he can get some much-needed rest and recovery, a reality check and, possibly, some surgical procedures to repair the knee and biceps injuries that plagued him this season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 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

The viewership figures were a brutal reality check for a man whose self-worth is entirely tied to Nielsen points.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026

A reality check on my estimate of the Vanguard 500 Index fund’s 50-year performance percentile comes from the track records of investment newsletters that were calculated by my performance auditing firm.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

Adam blanches at this sudden reality check and Brooke raises her eyebrows in a stern rebuke.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

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