baked into the cake

1. Naturally inherent in or already incorporated into something. Usually said of negative traits, aspects, or behavior. Many feel that the disadvantages facing minorities in the country's economic and political systems were baked into the cake from the very outset. Unfortunately, I believe the CEO is a pathological cheater and liar. He's been on good behavior in front of the media, sure, but stuff like that is baked into the cake. I'm sorry, did she not realize that tantrums are just baked into the cake when you work in a preschool?

2. Indicating a foregone conclusion or predetermined outcome. What's sometimes difficult to remember is that the election has already been decided—the votes have been cast, so the winner is already baked into the cake. The company is certainly in a very precarious position, but it is trying to assure investors that bankruptcy is not baked into the cake. Missing the playoffs is baked into the cake, given how poorly the team has played so far this season.