fact of life
Something that cannot be avoided; a stark reality of existence.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Traffic jams are just a fact of life in this city.”
“You must accept that making mistakes is a fact of life when you are learning a new language.”
“While the sudden loss of funding was disappointing, the director reminded the staff that budget cuts are an unfortunate fact of life in the non-profit sector.”
first recorded 19th c.
The term is first recorded c. 1806. It emerged in the early 19th century as a compound of the English nouns fact and life.
- 01
beg for one's life
To plead or make a desperate attempt to continue with what one has been doing.
- 02
brass Tacks
[Cockney slang]facts
- 03
bread of life
Anything which is regarded as a source or inspiration of spiritual nourishment.
- 04
bring back to life
To return someone to a state of consciousness or living after a state of unconsciousness, death or near-death.
- 05
cat and dog life
An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.
- 06
change of life
Menopause.
- 07
charmed life
A life in which one is always lucky and safe from danger.
- 08
claim someone's life
To lead to someone's death.
Last updated August 10, 2026