rude awakening
Britishnoun
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.
“They were in for a rude awakening with the response, and it wasn’t just from the gay community,” Giants broadcaster and former pitcher Mike Krukow told KNBR, the team’s flagship radio station.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
Americans who thought spring break would offer rest and relaxation after a tough winter may be in for a rude awakening.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 9, 2026
Leeds' sublime second goal in the 43rd minute was a rude awakening for Chelsea's title prospects.
From Barron's ● Dec. 3, 2025
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 ● Nov. 29, 2025
She was still thinking about this when she experienced a very rude awakening.
From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
