ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fact of life

idiom
Meaning

Something that cannot be avoided; a stark reality of existence.


Origin

first recorded 19th c.

First use appears c. 1806.

Examples
SIMPLE

Traffic jams are just a fact of life in this city.

CONTEXTUAL

You must accept that making mistakes is a fact of life when you are learning a new language.

COMPLEX

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.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    beg for one's life

    To plead or make a desperate attempt to continue with what one has been doing.

  2. 02

    brass Tacks

    [Cockney slang]facts

  3. 03

    bread of life

    Anything which is regarded as a source or inspiration of spiritual nourishment.

  4. 04

    bring back to life

    To return someone to a state of consciousness or living after a state of unconsciousness, death or near-death.

  5. 05

    cat and dog life

    An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.

  6. 06

    change of life

    Menopause.

  7. 07

    charmed life

    A life in which one is always lucky and safe from danger.

  8. 08

    claim someone's life

    To lead to someone's death.

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