What does "it is what it is" mean?
Something has happened and I accept it, even though I did not like the outcome.
The meaning of "It is what it is"
"It is what it is" is a term used informally when speaking to friends or peers. It means that you accept whatever it is that happened to you. Often, this term is used when something unfortunate happens but you just accept the outcome of it or try and turn it into a positive connotation. It also means that you can't really do anything about the situation anymore so you just have to accept it the way that it is.
Let's use it in a situation. Here is an example.
Friend 1: I did not get the job into the company I always wanted, but I did get the same job at a different company.
Friend 2: Well, it is what it is. At least you still got a job, right?
Let's try that again!
Friend 1: I'm really sorry I spilled my coffee on your shirt.
Friend 2: Well, it is what it is, right? I can't really do anything about it other than putting on my hoodie so it wouldn't be seen.
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"It is what it is"
"It is what is it" is a common idiom expressing calm acceptance of the situation.
It is saying that whatever has happened cannot be undone, and so there is no use worrying about it.
It is an expression which exemplifies the ideals of Stoicism.
It is what it is.
The meaning of it is what it is.
It is an answer to ANY question.
Makes it quite clear that the person who uses the phrase doesn't have the intelligence or mental capacity to formulate an appropriate answer to the question
They lost the game. "It is what it is".
It's a complex issue. It's a shame, but it is what it is.
Can it be used to answer any question?
It is what it is can be used for many things. You can use the phrase to answer almost any type of question,
What does "It is what it is" mean. This is a term I use quite often.
It is usually when I cannot change a situation. For me it is usually at
the end of a conversation with another person where we have tried
to resolve an issue. At the end of our conversation nothing is resolved
because we cannot change it. For example. I live in Canada. I commute to work everyday. I have a conversation with my co-worker.
We talk about snowy days and driving. We end the conversation with
"it is what it is" because we live in Canada and winter is not something we can change.
One of the most common slang in English
It means the situation is settled or things are done and cannot be changed so you must accept the result anyway. It's informal so avoid using it in formal situations.
For example
- I think I messed up the exam.
- Well, it is what it is, don't think about it and focus on the next one
The phrase "it is what it is" is a way of expressing resignation or acceptance of a situation that cannot be changed. It is often used in situations where there is no point in trying to alter the outcome or where efforts to change the situation would be futile. In other words, it is a way of acknowledging that a situation is not ideal, but that there is nothing that can be done about it.
Here are some examples of how this phrase might be used:
Person 1: "I really wanted to go on vacation this year, but I don't have enough money."
Person 2: "Well, it is what it is. Maybe you can save up for next year."
Person 1: "I can't believe my team lost the game."
Person 2: "Yeah, it's frustrating, but it is what it is. There's nothing we can do about it now."
In these examples, the speaker is acknowledging that the situation is not ideal, but that there is nothing that can be done to change it. Instead, they are accepting the situation and moving on.
Practice: Choose the option that best matches the usage of 'It is what it is' expression:
I'm sorry, but I can't come to your party tonight. It is what it is.
a. I'm sorry, but I'm busy tonight.
b. I'm sorry, but I don't want to go to your party.
c. I'm sorry, but I'm feeling sick.
d. All of the above
I'm sorry, but I can't change the plans. It is what it is.
a. I'm sorry, but I don't want to change the plans.
b. I'm sorry, but I don't have the authority to change the plans.
c. I'm sorry, but it's too late to change the plans.
d. All of the above
I'm sorry, but I can't give you a ride home. It is what it is.
a. I'm sorry, but I don't have enough gas in my car.
b. I'm sorry, but I'm not going in the same direction as you.
c. I'm sorry, but I don't feel like giving you a ride.
d. All of the above
I'm sorry, but I can't lend you any money. It is what it is.
a. I'm sorry, but I don't have any money to lend.
b. I'm sorry, but I don't trust you to pay me back.
c. I'm sorry, but I need to save my money for something else.
d. All of the above
I'm sorry, but I can't come to your wedding. It is what it is.
a. I'm sorry, but I have another wedding to go to that day.
b. I'm sorry, but I can't afford to travel to the wedding.
c. I'm sorry, but I don't like the bride or groom.
d. All of the above
Conclusion:
In conclusion, "It is what it is" is an expression used to express acceptance or resignation in a situation that cannot be changed. This phrase is often used when trying to alter the outcome would be futile or when the speaker simply wants to acknowledge the reality of the situation and move on. In informal conversation, this expression can be a useful way of coping with difficult or frustrating situations.
Deal with it. It is what it is is an expression used to characterize a frustrating or challenging situation that a person believes cannot be changed and must just be accepted
used to say that a situation cannot be changed and must be accepted: We're all imperfect human beings in an imperfect world.
When someone says "It is what it is," it's often an expression of frustration or resigned acceptance of a situation
when someone has accepted a situation for the way it is and has also accepted that, like it or not, there is nothing they can do
The phrase "it is what it is" is often used to express resignation or acceptance of a situation, especially when the situation cannot be changed or is unlikely to change.
It is a way of acknowledging that a situation exists and must be dealt with, without trying to change or alter it. For example, if someone is facing a difficult challenge at work, they might say "it is what it is" to indicate that they recognize the difficulty of the situation but are not going to try to change it.
Related
What do you think "it is what it is" means?
"It is what it is," essentially means "That's life. You can't change this situation, problem or reality. No sense talking about it or getting too stressed out. You have to make peace with reality and keep going."
What’s the meaning of “it is what it is”? This confuses me.
When I got cancer a couple of years ago, this was a phrase that kept popping up in my mind. It’s cancer. It is what it is. I can’t change it, no amount of “positive thinking” will make it go away[*], but I can endure it, and trust and work with the people who can fix it.
So that’s what it means - a situation which can’t be changed, but which has no “higher meaning.” It must be dealt with on its own terms and nothing more or less than what it appears to be.