What Is Another Way to Say “It Is What It Is”?

Looking for synonyms for it is what it is? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say it is what it is.

  • That’s the way things are
  • Such is life
  • Can’t be helped
  • That’s life
  • What’s done is done
  • No use crying over spilt milk
  • It’s beyond our control
  • It’s in the nature of things
  • It’s out of our hands
  • It’s the situation we’re in
  • It’s unavoidable
  • It’s an unchangeable reality
  • That’s the reality of it
  • That’s the nature of the beast
  • It’s a fact of life

Want to learn how to say it is what it is professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

  1. That’s the way things areUsed to acknowledge a situation, often one that is not ideal but cannot be changed.
    • Example: “We missed the deadline due to unforeseen issues, but that’s the way things are. We need to focus on the next steps.”
  2. Such is lifeA philosophical acceptance of a situation, especially a negative or challenging one.
    • Example: “Our proposal was not accepted, such is life. Let’s learn and move on.”
  3. Can’t be helpedIndicates a situation is beyond one’s control and cannot be changed.
    • Example: “The market has shifted, leading to a decrease in sales. It can’t be helped, but we can adapt our strategy.”
  4. That’s lifeA casual way to acknowledge and accept a difficult or disappointing situation.
    • Example: “Sometimes, despite our best efforts, projects fail. That’s life. We’ll do better next time.”
  5. What’s done is doneUsed to indicate that the past cannot be changed and one must move on.
    • Example: “We made an error in our calculations, but what’s done is done. Let’s focus on correcting it now.”
  6. No use crying over spilt milkSuggests it’s pointless to be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be undone.
    • Example: “We lost a major client. However, it’s no use crying over spilt milk; let’s focus on acquiring new ones.”
  7. It’s beyond our controlUsed when a situation is out of one’s hands and cannot be influenced.
    • Example: “Regulatory changes have impacted our business, but it’s beyond our control. We need to comply and adjust.”
  8. It’s in the nature of thingsSuggests that the situation is typical or expected due to the nature of things.
    • Example: “Market fluctuations are in the nature of things in our industry. We must be prepared for these changes.”
  9. It’s out of our handsIndicates that the situation is no longer under one’s control or influence.
    • Example: “The decision is now with the board; it’s out of our hands. We’ve done our part.”
  10. It’s the situation we’re inAcknowledges the current state of affairs, usually in a challenging context.
    • Example: “Due to budget cuts, we have to reduce our team size. It’s the situation we’re in.”
  11. It’s unavoidableUsed when a situation is inevitable and cannot be avoided.
    • Example: “The merger will lead to some restructuring. It’s unavoidable but will bring long-term benefits.”
  12. It’s an unchangeable realityAccepts a situation as a permanent or unalterable fact.
    • Example: “The competitive landscape has evolved; it’s an unchangeable reality that we must adapt to.”
  13. That’s the reality of itA blunt acknowledgment of the true state of a situation.
    • Example: “We’re facing tough competition, and that’s the reality of it. We need to innovate to stay ahead.”
  14. That’s the nature of the beastRefers to an inherent or unavoidable characteristic of something, often a task or situation.
    • Example: “Dealing with uncertainty is part of managing a business. That’s the nature of the beast.”
  15. It’s a fact of lifeRecognizes a situation as a common or inevitable part of life or experience.
    • Example: “Change is a fact of life in the tech industry. We must continually adapt to stay relevant.”

Linda Brown