pɑːr fɔːr ðə kɔːrs
Sports
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- the expected number of strokes to complete a golf course
What does "par for the course" mean?
what is normal or expected in a given situation
Examples
- Delays at the airport? That's par for the course during the holidays.
- Long hours are par for the course in the restaurant industry.
- Getting rejected a few times is par for the course when job hunting.
Origin
From golf. Figurative use dates to the 1920s.
How to use it
Often used with a slightly resigned or accepting tone.
Similar expressions
typical
to be expected
nothing unusual
business as usual
Opposites
out of the ordinary
unusual
unexpected
Related idioms
- no pain no gain
Success requires hard work and sacrifice
- ball is in your court
It's your turn to take action or make a decision
- like riding a bicycle
A skill that, once learned, is never forgotten
- drop the ball
To fail to do something important; to make a mistake
- level playing field
A situation where everyone has an equal opportunity
- on the ball
Alert and competent
Use it in a practice answer
Try "par for the course" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.