that's life

USAGE SUMMARY

"That's life" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express resignation or acceptance of a situation, often one that is considered difficult or unfair. For example: "I was laid off from my job after 5 years, but that's life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

To them, that's life.

The New York Times - Sports

Hey, that's life.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But, hey, that's life".

The New York Times

That's life, indeed.

The New York Times

That's life for you.

The Guardian - Sport

But that's life, innit?

The New Yorker

"That's life," she said.

The New York Times

That's life, Voice!

The New Yorker

"That's life in America".

The New Yorker

That's life," Mourinho said.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I mean, that's life-changing.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that's life" to express acceptance of a negative or unfortunate situation, helping to frame events in a broader perspective and reduce immediate distress.

Common error

Avoid using "that's life" when expressing genuine excitement or approval. It's primarily for acknowledging unfavorable circumstances, not celebrating success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's life" serves as an interjection or exclamation. It expresses resignation, acceptance, or acknowledgment of the inevitable difficulties and disappointments that occur in life. Ludwig AI confirms its typical use to express resignation or acceptance of a difficult situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

9%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that's life" is a common expression used to convey acceptance or resignation in the face of unfortunate events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It functions as an interjection or exclamation, serving to provide closure and resilience. While versatile, it's most appropriate for neutral to informal contexts, typically appearing in news, media, and everyday conversations. Alternatives like "c'est la vie" and "such is life" offer similar sentiments. Remember to use it when acknowledging life's inevitable challenges, but avoid it when expressing genuine excitement or approval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

such is life

Emphasizes the inevitable nature of certain outcomes, similar to accepting fate.

c'est la vie

A French expression directly translating to "that's life", used in English to express the same sentiment of acceptance.

it is what it is

States a matter-of-fact acceptance of the current situation without necessarily implying resignation.

that's the way it goes

Expresses acceptance of a situation, highlighting its unchangeable nature.

it can't be helped

Focuses on the lack of control over a situation, implying acceptance of the outcome.

you win some, you lose some

Highlights the balance of success and failure in life, accepting both as part of the experience.

it's out of my hands

Focuses on the lack of influence over a situation, implying acceptance of the outcome.

there's nothing I can do

Highlights the feeling of helplessness in the situation.

shit happens

A more vulgar, but equally common, expression of accepting unfortunate events.

life's a bitch

A more cynical expression suggesting life is inherently difficult and unfair.

FAQs

How can I use "that's life" in a sentence?

You can use "that's life" to express acceptance of something unfortunate. For example, "I didn't get the promotion, but "that's life"."

What are some alternatives to saying "that's life"?

Alternatives include "c'est la vie", "such is life", or "it is what it is", depending on the context.

Is "that's life" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that's life" is a grammatically correct phrase that is commonly used in spoken and written English to express resignation or acceptance.

When is it appropriate to use "that's life"?

It's appropriate to use "that's life" when you want to acknowledge an unfortunate situation and express a sense of acceptance or resignation about it.