rude awakening

British

noun

an occurrence of being made to face an unpleasant fact

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But investors who are hoping they’ll benefit from a similar flight to safety next year could be in for a rude awakening.

From Barron's

Many in the UK who unwrapped a new drone this Christmas may face a rude awakening next week, when they will have to take a theory test before being allowed to fly outdoors.

From BBC

Leeds' sublime second goal in the 43rd minute was a rude awakening for Chelsea's title prospects.

From Barron's

The Eddie Murphy vehicle chronicles a hotshot advertising executive’s rude awakening after a merger leaves him with a new boss.

From The Wall Street Journal

If the change is unpleasant, it is “a rude awakening.”

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023