par for the course

⛳ par for the course

Concrete Meaning

Something that is normal, expected, or typical for a given situation, often referring to a negative or challenging circumstance.

💬 Context & Examples

Use this to sigh and accept that a frustrating or difficult situation is actually completely typical for the industry, person, or process you are dealing with.

"Long hours in the final week of a software launch are just par for the course."
"The client requested three major revisions at the last minute, which is par for the course with them."

🧠 Pattern Challenge

Test Yourself

In golf, "par" is the standard, expected number of strokes a skilled player should take to complete a hole. Why do we usually use this idiom for annoying things rather than good things?

Show Answer

Because it emphasizes resignation; just like a difficult golf hole requires a certain number of strokes no matter what, a difficult situation will inevitably have a standard set of frustrating obstacles you just have to accept.