IIWII

Phrase

it is what it is

1. (idiomatic) That's life; expressing resignment to a situation or set of circumstances, usually without complaint
   • Unfortunately the insurance doesn't cover that. Sorry, but it is what it is.

   Synonyms:

   c'est la vie, life's a bitch, shit happens, such is life, it is as it is, it is how it is, so be it, so is life, so it goes, that's life

2. (broadly) Let it be; accept the fact and let the matter rest.
   1. (broadly, sometimes) Who cares?; I don't care.
      • But more important, while I am aware that "it is what it is" can be used in the "que sera sera" way, I do not agree that my interpretation of it is therefore incorrect. Rather, it is an example of how common it is in language for words and expressions to have more than one meaning, despite the fact...2023 September 12, John McWhorter, “What Is 'It Is What It Is'?”, in New York Times, retrieved 13 Sep 2023
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see it, is, what, it, is. This thing has its own distinct nature; this thing is itself.
   • That every thing has a real constitution, whereby it is what it is, and on which its sensible qualities depend, is past doubt.1690, John Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding

   Synonyms:

   que sera sera, shit happens