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

Example Sentences

I used the feature repeatedly in London this week for a reality check given the weaker dollar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

“I knock on doors every election cycle because to me, that’s the reality check of where people really are in terms of their lives.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

Heated Rivalry’s progressive, hockey-curious audience gets a reality check from the US Men’s team in Italy.

From Slate • Feb. 26, 2026

Social media analyst Paolo Pescatore said it was a "reality check" for TikTok - and a "warning shot" for every social media platform.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

The St. Paul Pioneer Press of June 13, which I eagerly snatch out of the box in front of Wal- Mart, provides an overdue reality check.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich