It Is What It Is – Meaning, Origin & Usage

“It is what it is” – it’s a phrase you hear anywhere and somehow it means nothing but also means something. Confused? If so, you’re not alone. This article however, is going to change that.

Here, we will explain what is meant by the phrase “it is what it is”, and go into how the phrase may have originated. Then we’ll go through to its popularity in modern day, and examples of contexts in which the phrase could be used. Next, we will cover similar, synonymous phrases that you can choose to use in its place. We’ll follow that up with common misinterpretations of the phrase, the philosophy behind the phrase, and the psychology around the phrase. Finally, we’ll top that off with a section where we answer your most frequently asked questions on the subject. By the end of the article, you’re sure to feel like an expert!

And without further ado, let’s get straight to it. 

What does “it is what it is” mean? 

The phrase “it is what it is” is used to indicate that a situation, or thing is unchangeable and must be accepted. It’s often used as a kind of “verbal shrug” to signal resignation to the situation being discussed. For example, someone might say “it is what it is” after a lost sports match, or after a business deal doesn’t go as well as expected.

It’s a way of saying that despite how strongly someone might feel about something, or how much they wish it wasn’t the case, they have to accept that an aspect of the situation is not going to change no matter what. It signals a feeling of being powerless against aspects of a situation that someone has no control over. It concludes that a situation is immutable and cannot be changed for the better.

How the phrase “it is what it is” can be used

The phrase is often used to shut a conversation down because of the belief that further discussion about how to improve matters would be useless and a waste of time.

It can also be used to answer a question about something without having to go into details, such as when information is sensitive and/or confidential.

It’s also the sort of phrase someone might think to themselves in an internal dialogue, so as to acknowledge the reality of their circumstances.

The phrase can also be used positively when it comes to coming to terms with a stubborn person’s unwillingness to change their outlook or behaviour for the better.

The phrase “it is what it is” can be applied in a wide array of circumstances, for example in business, in politics, in the economy, in certain matters concerning the environment, and in unavoidable catastrophes. 

The phrase “it is what it is” can be categorised as an idiom, a proverb, and a tautological device. This means that the meaning of the phrase cannot be considered by the individual words alone and must be considered within the context of the entire conversation. 

Examples of contexts where the phrase can be used

Here are some typical examples of the phrase in use:

• As much as I’d love to, I can’t change what happened in the past. It is what it is.
• Some policies are slow to change due to bureaucratic processes. It is what it is.
• The job I applied for was given to another candidate. It is what it is.
• We planned to go to the outdoor farmers market yesterday, but then it started raining. It is what it is.
• My annual leave request got denied. It is what it is, I guess, I’ll have to work that day.
• Some problems in the education system are deeply rooted, so it is what it is.
• I guess it is what it is. We can’t attend the party anymore, the family funeral takes priority.
• Our budget for the next quarter will be reduced. It is what it is, so we will have to adjust our plans.
• Due to unforeseen issues, we did not meet our deadline. It is what it is; we will have to look into changes we’ll need to make in the future.

The historical origins of the phrase

The precise origins of the phrase in English aren’t certain. You might imagine that it could date as far back as Shakespeare, however, the phrase is most frequently accredited to J.E. Lawrence in the year 1949, when he wrote in an article for Nebraska State Journal:

“New land is harsh, and vigorous, and sturdy. It scorns evidence of weakness. There is nothing of sham or hypocrisy in it. It is what it is, without apology.”

Popularity of the phrase in modern culture

Use of the phrase gained momentum in the 1990s through to today, where it is often used in memes on social media apps, often accompanied with an image of a deflated facial expression and a shrug of the shoulders.

In 2001, there was a film released called “It is what it is”, in 2007, there was an autobiography released by David Coulthard, and between 2008 and 2017 there were 4 songs released across different genres called “It is what it is”.

Here are some famous instances of people using the saying.

• Al Gore had this to say about his loss in 2000: “I strongly disagreed with the Supreme Court decision and the way in which they interpreted and applied the law. But I respect the rule of the law, so it is what it is.”
• Peter Laviolette, coach of the U.S.A. hockey team at the 2006 Winter Olympics commented on his team’s lack of rest by saying, “We’re going to do the best that we can. It is what it is.”
• George W. Bush reportedly said it when he thought he might lose to John Kerry in the 2004 election.

Similar, comparable phrases to “it is what it is”

Here are some similar phrases that can often be used in place of “it is what it is”:

• It can’t be helped.
• You’ll just have to accept it.
• That’s life I guess.
• Such is life.
• Let bygones be bygones.
• That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
• It’s ok, it’s all water under the bridge now
• Just gotta roll with the punches.
• Que sera, sera. (Spanish for “what will be, will be”)
• C’est la vie. (French for “such is life”)
• So ist das Leben. (German for “that’s life”)
• Así es la vida. (Spanish for “such is life”)
• Così è la vita. (Italian for “such is life”)

Common misinterpretations of the phrase “it is what it is”

Because the phrase “it is what it is” is seen as denoting acceptance of a situation, people often assume that the person asserting this doesn’t care about something the way that they should. However, this is often a false assumption, and they may in fact be deeply saddened about the circumstances, even if they have now dealt with their frustration over the subject.

The philosophy behind the phrase “it is what it is”

The concept inferred by the phrase “it is what it is” has been a subject of philosophical debate for centuries across various different cultures. It’s primarily interpreted as taking a resigned attitude toward something that  will not change, ever, and as such there’s no use in attempting to try to change it.

However, there are also those who argue that the concept doesn’t have to be defeatist, because it can be liberating to accept or even embrace your circumstances, because it allows you to concentrate more fully on things that can be controlled and changed for the positive. In this sense the saying and its connotations can become a helpful, if not a particularly valuable coping mechanism. In fact, in zen teachings, the idea of surrendering to the moment is placed in high value.

The psychology around the phrase “it is what it is”

Making the most of what you can do

The concept of “it is what it is” may have been useful in the early days of our species, when people have had to accept the loss of one resource, e.g. meat, and had to make the most of other resources for their sustenance instead, such as foraging for nuts and berries, or fishing. Just because one option is not available does not mean that your luck has run out entirely, and saying one thing is what it is, unlocks your mind to other possibilities available.

FAQs

Is the phrase “it is what it is” toxic?

Taylor Maness wrote an article in 2019 asserting that saying “it is what it is” is toxic, arguing that it normalises a damaging mindset because it strengthens the idea that we have no control over matters. She also argues that it can also be used as a scapegoat phrase, because it can encourage people to give up on achieving perfection, and rid people of real accountability. Moreover, she argues that it deprives people the chance to learn from their failures.

In truth, the phrase “it is what is” is only toxic if used in the wrong way. In the effort to achieve great things, you would not be well advised to take the phrase “it is what is” as a mantra or motto, because it could hold you back unnecessarily if used as an excuse. However, on the other hand, there are likely to be times in your life where you may have to come to terms with a particular situation, for example the way something turned out in the past if it didn’t go well.

When to use the phrase “it is what it is”?

It’s best not to approach an activity with a defeatist “it is what it is” attitude because this will hold you back unnecessarily before you even start. Even if an activity may seem impossible to achieve, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t even try, especially if there’s a really good payout in store. There’s much to be said  for asking questions, challenging assumptions and thinking outside the box.

That said however, being upset over something that has long passed is not going to benefit you, unless you can apply any lessons learned now or in the future. In such instances, the saying “it is what it is” can be freeing, and it can help you to turn your attention to things that can be changed instead.

Final word

So, to summarise, the phrase “it is what it is” means that a situation, or thing is unchangeable and must be accepted. Kind of like a “verbal shrug” to signal resignation to a particular issue or matter.

It’s a relatively recent phrase believed to date back to 1949, but today it’s best known as a social media meme, typically accompanied with a shrug of someone’s shoulders.

The phrase transcends different cultures, and has its own equivalents in other languages, such as “Que sera, sera”, Spanish for “what will be, will be”, and “C’est la vie”, which is French for “such is life”.