rude awakening

noun

: surprising and unpleasant discovery that one is mistaken

He thinks he can get by without doing any work, but he is in for a rude awakening.

Examples of rude awakening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

People who have a Medicare Advantage plan — and wind up needing care and prescriptions next year — are in for a rude awakening. — Bob Herman, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026

The loss to Oregon last season served as a rude awakening for USC and Maiava, a reminder of how far both still had to go before reaching their potential. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Young readers who watched Wuthering Heights earlier this year and thought Margot Robbie’s bratty, lovestruck Cathy had to be the most difficult Cathy in literature are in for a rude awakening this fall. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Residents on the upper floors on the opposite side of a building got a rude awakening as well. — Kris Habermehl, CBS News, 26 June 2026

Rhymes for rude awakening

• reawakening
• wakening