Meaning
To wake up to reality, stop being naive or overly idealistic, and face the facts of a situation as they truly are.
It is an informal and often emphatic phrase used to tell someone to stop hallucinating possibilities, drop absurd expectations, or abandon wishful thinking.
Origin
The idiom emerged in mid-20th-century American slang, gaining widespread popularity during the 1960s and 1970s. It stems from the contrast between what is «real» and what is imaginary, fictional, or artificial. The imperative command get real implies that the listener has disconnected from actual facts and needs to consciously step back into reality.
Examples
-
You think you can learn fluent Japanese in three days? Get real!
-
He expects to get a promotion without putting in any effort. He needs to get real.
-
Get real, there is no way they are going to refund your money after two years.
-
A: am sure I will win the lottery this weekend.
B: Oh, get real! The odds are one in millions.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Get real' mean?
To wake up to reality, stop being naive or overly idealistic, and face the facts of a situation as they truly are.
It is an informal and often emphatic phrase used to tell someone to stop hallucinating possibilities, drop absurd expectations, or abandon wishful thinking.