rude awakening

noun

1. an occurrence of being made to face an unpleasant fact

Example Sentences

Many beachgoers enjoying the waters off Newport Beach on the July Fourth holiday were in for a rude awakening.

From Los Angeles Times

Musk has had a very rude awakening about politics, the kind of awakening most of us have sometime in our late teens when we realize that not everyone thinks like we do.

From Salon

Perhaps it's not surprising that the so-called loveless landslide has been followed by a rude awakening.

From BBC

“For a kid who thought he was this tough street-smart kid from D.C., I was in for a very rude awakening,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Either on Tuesday or some other point in the future, the party is in for a rude awakening over illegal immigration.

From Salon