fact of life

fact of life
1. facts of life plural : the fundamental physiological processes and reactions involved in sex and reproduction

the mistake of bringing up children in ignorance of the facts of life

2. : something that exists and must be taken into consideration (as in developing a plan of action or comprehending a situation)

that communism has a real appeal to the Asian is a fact of life we cannot ignore

* * *

1. any aspect of human existence that must be acknowledged or regarded as unalterable: Old age is a fact of life.
2. facts of life, the facts concerning sex, reproduction, and birth: to teach children the facts of life.
[1850-55]

* * *

fact of life,
a fact that cannot be disputed or changed, however undesirable it may be: »

It was a “fact of life” that nations which could not pay their way in the world did not have any influence on the course of events (Manchester Guardian Weekly).

 See also facts of life. (Cf. ↑facts of life)

* * *

noun, pl facts of life
1 [count] : something that exists and that cannot be changed or ignored

For new parents, lack of sleep is just a fact of life.

2 the facts of life : the facts about sex that are told to children

He explained the facts of life to his son.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • fact of life — plural facts of life n 1.) an unpleasant situation that exists and that must be accepted ▪ Mass unemployment seems to be a fact of life nowadays. ▪ Persuading others to accept the hard financial facts of life is not a very popular job. 2.) the… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • fact of life — fact′ of life′ n. any aspect of human existence that must be acknowledged or regarded as unalterable • facts of life Etymology: 1850–55 …   From formal English to slang

  • fact of life — facts of life 1) N COUNT You say that something which is not pleasant is a fact of life when there is nothing you can do to change it so you must accept it. Stress is a fact of life from time to time for all of us. 2) N PLURAL: the N If you tell… …   English dictionary

  • fact of life — 1. any aspect of human existence that must be acknowledged or regarded as unalterable: Old age is a fact of life. 2. facts of life, the facts concerning sex, reproduction, and birth: to teach children the facts of life. [1850 55] * * * …   Universalium

  • fact of life — noun 1. an event, development, situation, etc., which must be faced as an unalterable reality in life. 2. the facts of life, the details concerning sexual behaviour and reproduction, especially as explained to children …  

  • fact of life — Date: 1849 1. something that exists and must be taken into consideration 2. plural the fundamental physiological processes and behavior involved in sex and reproduction …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • fact of life — noun Something that cannot be avoided …   Wiktionary

  • (a) fact of life — a fact of life phrase something that you may not like but have to accept because it is always there or always true The need to ration healthcare resources is a fact of life. Thesaurus: truthsynonym Main entry: fact * * * a ˌfact of ˈlif …   Useful english dictionary

  • (a) fact of life — an unpleasant fact or situation which people accept because they cannot change it. She grew up in Northern Ireland during the 1970s when violence had become a fact of life. (not used with the) …   New idioms dictionary

  • a fact of life — ► a fact of life something that must be accepted, even if unpalatable. Main Entry: ↑fact …   English terms dictionary

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