rude awakening

Meanings

1. 1nounusually singularfigurative

   A shock caused by suddenly learning that the real situation is much worse than you expected.

   Grammar: Usually with a: he got a rude awakening.

   Patterns

   • a rude awakening for someone
   • get a rude awakening

   Moving out was a rude awakening for the students.

   If you think the job is easy, you're in for a rude awakening.

   The bill was a rude awakening for the whole family.

2. 2nouncountable

   An unpleasant, sudden waking from sleep, caused by a loud noise or event.

   Grammar: Literal use is less common than the figurative sense.

   Patterns

   • a rude awakening by something

   The alarm gave me a rude awakening at four.

   A thunderclap gave the campers a rude awakening.

   The fire drill was a rude awakening at dawn.

Word forms

Common combinations

in for a rude awakening

If you expect easy money, you are in for a rude awakening.

get a rude awakening

The new manager got a rude awakening on day one.

a rude awakening for someone

Tax season was a rude awakening for freelancers.

a rude awakening when

It was a rude awakening when prices doubled.

have a rude awakening

Many tourists have a rude awakening about the weather.

Synonyms and how they differ

shock

Shock is more general and need not involve false expectations as rude awakening does.

reality check

Reality check can be deliberate advice to be realistic, while rude awakening just happens to you.

wake-up call

Wake-up call suggests a useful warning that leads to change, which is less harsh.

eye-opener

Eye-opener can be pleasant, while a rude awakening is always unwelcome.

Word family

rude adjective

here, sudden and harsh

awakening noun

the act of waking or becoming aware

awaken verb

to wake or make aware

rudely adverb

suddenly and harshly

Commonly confused: rude awakening or wake-up call?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “rude awakening”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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