A fact of life
noun
Something that is true and cannot be avoided, usually unpleasant or difficult.
We have to accept traffic is a fact of life in a big city.
Often appears as...
- accept as a fact of life
- it's a fact of life
Usage tips
Colloquial
noun
A basic or fundamental truth that people have to accept.
Death and taxes are often said to be the only true facts of life...
Often appears as...
- true facts of life
- only facts of life
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
noun
The basic truths about life, especially its unpleasant aspects.
As children grow older they need to learn the facts of life
Often appears as...
- learn the facts of life
- teach the facts of life
noun
The details about sex and the process of reproduction.
When should parents explain the facts of life to their kids?
Often appears as...
- explain the facts of life
- teach the facts of life
Usage tips
Colloquial
noun
Something that is true and cannot be avoided, usually unpleasant or difficult.
We have to accept traffic is a fact of life in a big city.
Often appears as...
- accept as a fact of life
- it's a fact of life
Usage tips
Colloquial
noun
A basic or fundamental truth that people have to accept.
Death and taxes are often said to be the only true facts of life...
Often appears as...
- true facts of life
- only facts of life
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
noun
The basic truths about life, especially its unpleasant aspects.
As children grow older they need to learn the facts of life
Often appears as...
- learn the facts of life
- teach the facts of life
noun
The details about sex and the process of reproduction.
When should parents explain the facts of life to their kids?
Often appears as...
- explain the facts of life
- teach the facts of life
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Unavoidable Truth
Refers to truths that are often negative but must be accepted as part of life.
Growing old is an uncomfortable fact of life.
Pro Tip 2/3Acceptance Required
Implies that resistance is futile and embracing the situation is necessary.
Paying bills is just a fact of life.
Pro Tip 3/3Often Negative
Usually refers to something not desired or considered a drawback in life.
Frequent layoffs have become a fact of life in this industry.
Pro Tip 1/3Unavoidable Truth
Refers to truths that are often negative but must be accepted as part of life.
Growing old is an uncomfortable fact of life.
Pro Tip 2/3Acceptance Required
Implies that resistance is futile and embracing the situation is necessary.
Paying bills is just a fact of life.
Pro Tip 3/3Often Negative
Usually refers to something not desired or considered a drawback in life.
Frequent layoffs have become a fact of life in this industry.
Pro Tip 1/3Unavoidable Truth
Refers to truths that are often negative but must be accepted as part of life.
Growing old is an uncomfortable fact of life.
Pro Tip 2/3Acceptance Required
Implies that resistance is futile and embracing the situation is necessary.
Paying bills is just a fact of life.
Pro Tip 3/3Often Negative
Usually refers to something not desired or considered a drawback in life.
Frequent layoffs have become a fact of life in this industry.
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