What it means
The verbal shrug for accepting something annoying you cannot change. The train is cancelled, the plan fell through, the result is final, and rather than rage you just exhale and say it is what it is. Equal parts acceptance, resignation and quiet defeat.
Usage examples
"We lost the contract after all that work, but it is what it is, on to the next."
"Rain on the one day off, it is what it is, we will watch films instead."
"Manager moved the deadline again. It is what it is, we'll just crack on."
"Missed the last train home, so it is what it is, guess I'm paying surge pricing."
Voice comments
No one has left their voice yet. Break the ice.
Where it comes from
A plain tautology turned catchphrase: a thing simply is what it is, so there is no point fighting it. The flat logic became the go-to phrase for resigned acceptance.
Editors of this term
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