Reality check Meaning in English

expression

US

ˌɹiˈæɫəˌti/ /ˈtʃɛk

ree-AL-uh-tee chek

UK

ɹɪˈælɪti/ /tʃˈɛk

ri-AL-i-tee chek

Definition

A moment or experience that forces someone to accept the true situation, especially when they were being unrealistic or optimistic before.

Usage & Nuances

Used informally, often after disappointment or when correcting unrealistic expectations. Common after 'need a', 'got a', 'time for a'. Not literal; don't use for physical checks. Similar to 'wake-up call', but more personal/direct.

• Spanish: golpe de realidad - llamada de atención
• Portuguese (BR): choque de realidade - puxão de orelha (figurado)
• Portuguese (PT): choque de realidade - puxão de orelhas (figurado)
• Chinese (Simplified): 清醒认识 - 现实检验
• Chinese (Traditional): 清醒認識 - 現實檢驗
• Hindi: हकीकत का सामना - वास्तविकता की जांच
• Arabic: صدمة واقع - مواجهة الواقع
• Bengali: বাস্তবতার মুখোমুখি হওয়া - বাস্তবতা যাচাই
• Russian: жёсткое столкновение с реальностью - проверка реальности
• Japanese: 現実を突きつけられる瞬間 - 現実チェック
• Vietnamese: nhận ra thực tế - cú sốc hiện thực
• Korean: 현실 자각 - 현실 점검
• Turkish: gerçekle yüzleşme - gerçeklik kontrolü
• Urdu: حقیقت کا ادراک - حقیقت سے واسطہ
• Indonesian: kesadaran realitas - sadar akan kenyataan

Example Sentences

That test was a real reality check for me.

basic

Sometimes you need a reality check to see things clearly.

basic

Losing my job was a reality check.

basic

After seeing the bill, I got a serious reality check about my spending.

natural

His coach gave him a reality check when he started slacking off.

natural

That comment was a bit of a reality check for all of us.

natural