- Normal, typical, or expected, especially when referring to something unfortunate, difficult, or annoying that regularly happens in a particular situation.
Explanation
Origin
- Comes from the game of golf. Par is the standard number of strokes expected to complete a hole or a round (the course).
- If something difficult or challenging happens, and it's considered standard or expected for that situation (like landing in a sand trap on a tricky hole), it's par for the course.
- The phrase moved into general usage to mean what you'd typically expect, even if it's not ideal.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Classic [Name/Thing]. (e.g., Classic Dave being late.)
- Figures. (Short for It figures, expressing resigned acceptance of something negative)
- What else is new? (Rhetorical, implies this is expected)
Vulgar/Emphatic (Expressing stronger frustration):
- Same old shit.
- Fucking typical.
Milder/Formal:
- Within normal parameters.
- To be expected under the circumstances.
- Consistent with past experience.
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in informal and semi-formal contexts. Common in workplace discussions about recurring problems.
- The golf origin is mostly forgotten; it's used generally. It implies acceptance, so might not be appropriate if strong objection is needed.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Low risk. Non-native speakers might not know the golf origin but usually grasp the meaning of normal or expected from context, especially given the often resigned tone.
Examples
- Computer crashing right before a deadline? That's par for the course with this old machine.
- Delays and budget overruns are unfortunately par for the course in major construction projects.
- He's late again? Well, that's par for the course for him.
Dialogue
Anna: My flight got delayed by two hours due to 'operational issues'.
Ben: Oh, that's annoying.
Anna: Honestly, it feels like par for the course with this airline lately. Always something.
Ben: Yeah, I've heard they've been having trouble.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Website down during peak hours again... par for the course. Time to find a new hosting provider? #techproblems
- Post: Dealing with endless paperwork for a simple permit. Par for the course with bureaucracy, I guess. #redtape
- Comment: Rain during our camping trip? Par for the course in the Pacific Northwest! Still had fun though. 🌲
Response Patterns
- Agreement/Resignation: Yep, typical. / Story of my life. / I know, right? / Tell me about it.
- Mild Disagreement (rare): It shouldn't be, though. / Still frustrating.
- Inquiry (if unfamiliar): Really? Does that happen often?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone says something is par for the course:
- Listeners often share their own similar experiences: Yeah, my computer does that too.
- Or simply accept it and move on: Well, what can you do?
- Sometimes prompts a discussion about *why* it's normal: Why is he always late?
After responding It shouldn't be, though:
- Might lead to a discussion about how to change the situation or why it persists.
Conversation Starter
- No. Comments on the normalcy of an event or behavior within a given context.
Intonation
- Stress often falls on par and course.
- Usually said with a tone of resignation, acceptance, or mild cynicism about the predictability of the negative event.
- Yeah, that's PAR for the COURSE.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used, perhaps slightly more common among generations familiar with golf (Gen X, Boomers) but generally known by younger people too.
Regional Variations
- Universally understood and used in English-speaking regions.