a rude awakening

rude awakening

The shocking instance of learning the unpleasant or unwelcome truth about a situation. We had a rude awakening when the waiter brought us the bill and we saw how much we had spent on dinner and drinks.
See also: awaken, rude
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a rude awakening

COMMON If you have had a rude awakening, you have been forced to realize the unpleasant truth about something. Such details as have emerged about the new economic package suggest that these citizens are indeed in for a rude awakening. Johnson was confident he could make a quick profit. But, instead of quick profits, he got a rude awakening.
See also: awaken, rude
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a rude awakening

a sudden realization of the true (bad) state of affairs, having previously been under the illusion that everything was satisfactory.
2004 The New Farm It must have been a rude awakening for the world powers when upstart Third-World countries began to flex their collective muscle.
See also: awaken, rude
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a rude aˈwakening

(written) a sudden, unexpected discovery of an unpleasant fact, truth, etc: If he thinks that the exam’s going to be easy, he’s going to get a rude awakening.
See also: awaken, rude
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • rude awakening
  • be in for a rude awakening
  • skunk at a garden party
  • here we go again
  • shoot off (one's) face
  • interject
  • interject (someone or something) into (something)
  • interject into
  • keep (one's) cool
  • keep one’s cool
References in periodicals archive
Summary: Manjunath's death has been a rude awakening for the whole community, says artist
Call for support system after Indian comedian dies in Dubai
Duncan Scott had a rude awakening on his return from Commonwealths - now he is out to give his rivals one.
SPORTS LOG
No one wanted to believe Ava when she suggested Ryan was calling her after he jumped off the bridge in Niagara Falls, but on the Thursday, April 4 episode of "General Hospital," Ava will face a rude awakening and possibly, Kiki's killer.
Will Ava Get Revenge On 'General Hospital'?
I was in for a rude awakening. The government doctor was running a private practice!
Ailing buffalo
In fact, I would look at it as a rude awakening for us,' Pinol said in an interview with ABS CBN News Channel.
Pinol on Zamboanga rice crisis: I'm not losing hope
ROUND-UP DERMOT DRUMMY got a rude awakening in his first match in charge of CRAWLEY as they lost to relegated DAGENHAM.
ROUND-UP DERMOT DRUMMY got a [...]; IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has asked Arsenal not to give him a rude awakening when the Premier League leaders visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday (2pm).
Ranieri hopes Leicester avoid rude awakening at Arsenal
Certainly, Reds fans expecting another 4-1 or 6-1 may be in for a bit of a rude awakening. Jurgen Klopp won't underestimate Newcastle, though.
LAWRO
An American dentist hoping to visit the Spanish city of Granada for a few days before a conference in Portugal got a rude awakening when what he thought would be a two-hour flight from London turned out to be a nine-hour flightto Grenada, in the Caribbean.
Man Sues After Flight Lands in Grenada Instead of Granada
Caldo reckons the United squad are in for a rude awakening when the Dutchman arrives, saying: "He's a hard taskmaster - it's either his way of the highway."
Calderwood: Dutch master is perfect fit for fallen giants
I suspect she is in for a rude awakening. The ruder the better.
SHE'S MILES OFF
I'm afraid she is in for a rude awakening come the general election.
Still not enough... Your Say
Summary: Men are in for a rude awakening as a women-only audio blogging station has become one of Egypt's most popular censorship-free forums for women intent on tackling taboo issues of gender inequality and
Egypt's women tackle social taboos on blog radio
Those who think that way are going to have a rude awakening. While there is no exec or engineer that I've talked with who has spare time on her or his hands--everyone seems stretched to the max--it still comes down to the utter necessity of elevating one's capabilities.
Hard truths for the holiday
JIMMY WHITE was given a rude awakening by Finland's Robin Hull as his disastrous season went from bad to worse in Prestatyn yesterday.
Snooker: White out of running