A completely useless phrase that is a tautology, or something that is true in every possible interpretation. A permanently self-proving and recursive phrase, there is never a time when it isn't what it is, because if there is, it wouldn't be itself, a condition which can never be true, or happen.

Otherwise, it's a meaningless statement meant to convey helplessness, uselessness, pointlessness, or that something may not have the really great features of its counterparts, but will do the job.

In all cases where one might wish to say "it is what it is", one should always instead simply state what the phrase is intended to mean.

Meaning #1 A phase used to instill a sense of acceptance in a situation. It is used to remind one of the unalterable elements of life. think of " I am who I am" The phaze defines things that cannot be changed, it to say "it is this way, so we have to accept it." An apple can never be an orange, even though if you wish, hope and dream it was an orange. it IS what it IS

Meaning #2 The condition of state of the present that has to be accepted.

A trite, overused and infuriatingly meaningless cliche that is utilized by provincials who think they are adding some deep, meaningful insight during a discussion when all they are offering is senseless, unwarranted repetitiveness to what would otherwise be a far better conversation had they not shown the shallowness of the gene pool they spawned from by using this asininely useless and redundant phrase to begin with.

things are the way they are. circumstances might not be the best, but... it is what it is

A phrase commonly used in the TV series: Love Island 2019.

Meaning: I can’t control anything about the situation, so fuck it.

When you're president and give up on the pandemic.

That's just the way things are, like it or not.