it is what it is

A) A phrase that seems to simply state the obvious but actually implies helplessness.

B) A phrase that seems to simply state the obvious but actually means "it will be what it is," as in "it ain't gonna change, so deal with it or don't." See also tough shit, oh well, cry me a river and tfb.

Meaning A
J: I can't believe the price of gas!

B: It is what it is.

Meaning B
J: It troubles me that you continue to put cyanide in my Yoohoo even after I've asked you to stop.

B: It is what it is.

by JohnnyAZ May 20, 2006

it is what it is

A quintessentially American East Coast colloquialism that is meant as a sort of passive acceptance of a situation that is not favorable but also cannot be changed (or at least not right away). It can be used in any context, although usually it refers to an illness, injury, stroke of bad luck financially, romantic trouble, etc. It should never be used as a means to an end in an actual intellectual comversation. Also known as: What will be will be. Suck it up. Deal with it.

"Landlord bumped my rent up... oh well, we don't have a lease agreement. Eh, it is what it is."

::after a long perios of obsessively analyzing what went wrong in a toxic relationship; finding oneself depressed and overwhelmed by the details of it all; an acceptance (these are usually prefaced by a weighted sigh):: "It is what it is."

by ERIC ROUNDABOUT October 04, 2015

it is what it is

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.

1.I hate the fact that I wear a size 12 shoe, but it is what it is...

2. I was ashamed to tell him that my mom is an alcoholic, but it is what it.

by Social Security August 07, 2008

it is what it is

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

sherlock: it's okay.
john: it's not okay!
sherlock: *hugging john* no, but it is what it is

by tea_and_tjlc January 13, 2017

it is what it is

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

"I hate how the government feels like they have to monitor our every move."
"Hey, it is what it is."

by Jack324 January 14, 2009

it is what it is

an accepted euphemism for 'i fuck my pets'. mainly used in a business setting, where swearing would not be acceptable.

boss: it is what it is.
employee: you sick bastard.

by bigtrick February 10, 2011

it is what it is

better described as a statement of acceptance of a situation that is less than perfect.

keeping a dull, going-nowhere, job that pays the bills. "how's work?" "it is what it is."

by linkinink March 31, 2009