for real

for real

1. Serious or legitimate. Is he for real? There's no way we'll get all this work done by Friday.
2. Really. Often used as a question. A: "I just got a raise!" B: "For real? Good for you!" Is she for real going to put ketchup on her pasta?
See also: real
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

for real

Inf. genuine; not imaginary. Ken is really strange. Is he for real? This whole day has been weird, it just isn't for real.
See also: real
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

for real

Actually so, genuine, as in Are your plans to move away for real? [Slang; mid-1900s]
See also: real
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

for real

used to assert that something is genuine or is actually the case. North American informal
1992 Michael Bishop Count Geiger's Blues The man…radiated only bluster and uncertainty. If challenged, he'd run. The other man facing Xavier was for real. He'd fight.
See also: real
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

for ˈreal


1 if you do something for real, you do something which is genuine or serious, rather than imagined, practised or talked about, etc: You might think that jumping out of a plane is easy, but when you do it for real, it’s terrifying. He’s joked about emigrating to Canada in the past, but this time I think it’s for real.
2 genuine: Do you think this offer of a free flight is for real?
See also: real
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

for real

mod. genuine; not imaginary. Ken is really strange. Is he for real?
See also: real
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

for real

Slang
Truly so in fact or actuality: "Is this place for real? A wolf in a ... leisure suit and a cow in a print dress wait patiently on the couch in the lobby" (Teresa Carson).
See also: real
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

for real

Actually, in truth. This slangy usage dates from the mid-1900s. It also can be used in the sense of being serious, as in “You got the leading role— for real?”
See also: real
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • 4 real
  • in (just) a minute
  • in (just) a moment
  • at this/that rate
  • at/in one go
  • at one go
  • in one go
  • at that rate
  • what's the difference
  • be on/off your guard
References in periodicals archive
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Individual copies of Expectations & Market Realities in Real Estate: 2007--No Stone Unturned, The Global Search for Real Estate Alpha can be purchased for $195 each by contacting RERC at www.rerc.com or 319-352-1500.
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which is devoted to organizational development and problem solving for real estate entities as well as environmentally sound building and maintenance practices.
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