for real life

English

Etymology

Perhaps a blend of for real +‎ real life. Popularised by the 2018 Australian animated children's TV series Bluey, but attested earlier.

Pronunciation

• Audio (US):

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Prepositional phrase

for real life

1. (originally Bluey fandom slang, informal) Synonym of in reality, occurring in real life as opposed to play or make believe.
   • 2020 January 17, Mary Bolling, “What parents can keep learning from Bluey”, in Australian Broadcasting Corporation‎^[2]:

     Sure, letting the neighbourhood kids set up a doctor's surgery in your loungeroom can end in chaos and crocodile attacks (as in the episode, The Doctor). But when Bingo goes to hospital for real life, the neighbours are at the ready with healing help (episode: Bumpy and the Wise Old Wolfhound).

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see for,‎ real life.