wake up and smell the coffee/roses
phrase
US, informal
: to realize the truth about one's situation : to become aware of what is really happening
These problems are not going to fix themselves. Voters need to wake up and smell the coffee and elect someone who will get things done.
Cite this Entry
“Wake up and smell the coffee/roses.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wake%20up%20and%20smell%20the%20coffee%2Froses. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
