reality check
nounDefinition of reality check
: something that clarifies or serves as a reminder of reality often by correcting a misconception
Examples of reality check in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There was a jarring reality check in the Legislature last week for interest groups plotting to change Proposition 13 and raise property taxes on major businesses. — George Skelton, The Mercury News, "Skelton: Proposition 13 is a political third rail in California," 27 Aug. 2019 On a different note, Brittany Runs a Marathon has comedian Jillian Bell, who, after being hit with a reality check, tries to turn her life around by running a marathon. — Lily Rosenberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "In Theaters This Week: Reviews of 'Angel Has Fallen,' 'Brittany Runs a Marathon,' 'Ready or Not' and More," 23 Aug. 2019 The bold move already seems to be going his way with Arsenal starting the Premier League season with two wins from two, whereas Chelsea suffered a harsh reality check in their humiliating 4-0 defeat to top four rivals Manchester United. — SI.com, "David Luiz Reveals How Honest Discussion With Frank Lampard Led to Chelsea Departure," 18 Aug. 2019 In one sense, the Colts did get something of a reality check in the snow and mud of Arrowhead Stadium. — Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star, "No longer underdogs, Colts turn to Chiefs playoff loss to fuel the fire," 24 July 2019 And although weathered economists will say that data and models determine policy, the stories are supposed to serve as reality checks. — The Economist, "Low inflation means the Federal Reserve is changing whom it listens to," 19 July 2019 Charles Sattler, a company vice president, sees the news as a bit of a reality check, but not a cause for alarm. — Maureen O’hagan, Quartz, "The way we breed cows is setting them up for extinction," 24 June 2019 Charles Sattler, a company vice president, sees the news as a bit of a reality check, but not a cause for alarm. — Maureen O'hagan, Scientific American, "From Two Bulls, Nine Million Dairy Cows," 20 June 2019 For Welk, getting drafted also provided a quick reality check. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles’ D-III draftee Toby Welk, Juco hitting coach Tom Eller showing ‘opportunities are in unusual places’," 21 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reality check.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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