fact (redirected from after the fact)

a fact of life

an unpleasant fact or situation which people accept because they cannot change it. She grew up in Northern Ireland during the 1970s when violence had become a fact of life. (not used with the)

See also: life

the facts of life

if you tell someone, especially a child, the facts of life, you tell them about sex and how babies are born. Parents are often embarrassed about telling their children the facts of life.

See also: life

It's easy to be wise after the event. (British, American & Australian, American)

something that you say which means that it is easy to understand what you could have done to prevent something bad from happening after it has happened. In retrospect I suppose we should have realised that she was in trouble and tried to help her but then I suppose it's easy to be wise after the event. People often tell me they'd never have taken out a loan if they'd thought about it more carefully - but it's easy to be smart after the fact.

See also: after, easy, event, it's, wise

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as a matter of fact

actually. I did vote for her, as a matter of fact.

Usage notes: used to emphasize the truth of what you are saying

in truth

in reality

See also: matter

face facts

we must accept the truth of this. You have to face facts — when your boss tells you she doesn't like your report, you'd better rewrite it.

get real

See also: face

in (point of) fact

actually. Steve decided not to come with us, and in fact he has already left for New York. In fact, we visited the school last week.

in truth

in reality

in point of factSee at: in (point of) fact

See also: point

is that a fact

really. “The more I read about elephants, the more I realized they are very complicated animals.” “Is that a fact?”

See also: that