Have you been hit with the resigned shrug of “It is what it is”? While this phrase often marks the end of a conversation, it doesn’t have to be a conversational dead end.
Today, we’re serving up 17 sarcastic and funny responses to breathe life back into those moments.
These comebacks are perfect for adding a twist of humor when faced with life’s inevitable curveballs.
The next time you encounter this all-too-common phrase, you’ll have the perfect witty retort up your sleeve!
17 Best Responses:
#1 – “Well, it’s not what it isn’t.”
- A play on the original phrase, adding a humorous twist of logic.
#2 – “And here I was hoping it was what it isn’t.”
- Pretends to be disappointed that reality isn’t different.
#3 – “Thanks for the deep insight, Plato.”
- Sarcastically compares the speaker to a great philosopher.
#4 – “As opposed to it being what it’s not?”
- Another humorous take on the tautology of the phrase.
#5 – “Could also be what it could be, but who’s checking?”
- Suggests other possibilities in a playful way.
#6 – “That’s the most profound thing I’ve heard all day.”
- Irony, pretending the statement is deeply insightful.
#7 – “Shocking revelation! Next, you’ll tell me water is wet.”
- Compares the obviousness of the statement to another evident fact.
#8 – “Ah, the motto of the perpetually unimpressed.”
- Labels the phrase as a catchphrase for those who are hard to impress.
#9 – “And my coffee is just coffee. Mind blown.”
- Equates the statement to another obvious fact in a humorous way.
#10 – “Great, now I can cancel my existential crisis.”
- Pretends the phrase has resolved deep philosophical worries.
#11 – “So poetic, it brings a tear to my eye.”
- Mocks the phrase as if it were a deeply moving piece of poetry.
#12 – “And tomorrow, it’ll still be what it is.”
- Points out the unchanging nature of the statement.
#13 – “I was hoping for a plot twist.”
- Expresses mock disappointment at the lack of surprise.
#14 – “In other news, time moves forward.”
- Compares the phrase to another obvious fact.
#15 – “That’s the spirit! Embrace the mediocrity.”
- Sarcastically encourages a lackluster attitude.
#16 – “Thank goodness, for a second there I thought it was what it wasn’t.”
- Feigns relief that reality is as it appears.
#17 – “And here I was, losing sleep over what it could be.”
- Pretends to be overly concerned about potential alternatives.
Why Do People Say “It Is What It Is?”
The phrase “It is what it is” is commonly used to express a sense of resignation or acceptance of a situation, often in contexts where the outcome is out of one’s control or cannot be changed.
The reasoning behind this phrase can be multifaceted:
- Acceptance of Reality: At its core, “It is what it is” is a statement of acceptance. It’s used to acknowledge that a situation, however undesirable, is unchangeable, and the speaker has come to terms with that reality. This acceptance can be a form of coping mechanism, helping individuals move past frustration or disappointment.
- Resignation to Circumstances: The phrase often conveys a sense of resignation. When people feel powerless to change a situation or see no viable solution, they might use this phrase to express their decision to stop struggling against it and instead, accept it as it is.
- Avoidance of Detailed Explanation: Sometimes, “It is what it is” is used to avoid going into the details of a situation, either because the details are complicated, personal, or the speaker believes the listener is already aware of them. It’s a way of acknowledging a situation without having to elaborate.
- Philosophical or Stoic Attitude: The saying reflects a philosophical or stoic approach to life’s challenges, reminiscent of concepts found in stoicism where the focus is on enduring and responding to situations with calm and resilience, rather than attempting to control the uncontrollable.
- Minimizing Drama or Conflict: In some cases, people use this phrase to avoid drama or conflict. By expressing a non-confrontational acceptance of what has happened, they attempt to defuse potential arguments or tension.
- General Observation of Life’s Unpredictability: “It is what it is” can also be a broader comment on the nature of life. It can reflect an understanding that life is unpredictable and not always fair, and sometimes all one can do is accept it and move forward.
- Encouragement to Move On: In a supportive context, someone might use this phrase to encourage others to accept a situation and move on from it. It can be a way of saying that dwelling on the issue won’t change it, so it might be healthier to let go.
Overall, “It is what it is” serves as a verbal shrug—an acknowledgment of the complexities, unpredictabilities, and sometimes the immovable nature of life’s various situations.
It is a concise summation of a complex mix of resignation, acceptance, and the human desire to find peace with things we cannot change.