Idiom B2 Informal

Par for the course

What you would normally expect to happen; typical or usual

Meaning

Par for the course — What you would normally expect to happen in a particular situation; typical or usual. It often carries a slightly negative or resigned tone, suggesting something is unwelcome but unsurprising.

Origin & History

The phrase comes from the sport of golf, where 'par' is the standard number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take to complete a hole or course. Scoring par means performing exactly as expected, neither better nor worse than the recognised benchmark.

From the early 20th century the expression moved into general English to describe anything that is normal or to be expected for a given situation. Over time it took on a faintly resigned tone, often used about minor setbacks or annoyances that are simply typical.

Example Sentences

SentenceContext
Delays on this line are par for the course during the winter.Commuting
Long queues at the airport are par for the course in August.Travel
A few technical hitches on launch day are par for the course.Project launch
Working late at the end of the quarter is par for the course here.Workplace culture
Some grumbling from the crowd is par for the course at these matches.Sport
Rejection is par for the course when you're submitting to publishers.Writing career

How to Use It

This idiom is informal and describes something that is normal or to be expected, usually with a resigned or mildly negative tone. It typically follows the verb be, as in is par for the course or are par for the course. Use it to play down a problem as unsurprising, suggesting that the situation, while unwelcome, is exactly what anyone would have predicted.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid

That's par of the course for this job.

That's par for the course for this job. — The phrase uses 'for', not 'of'.

Delays are par the course in winter.

Delays are par for the course in winter. — Do not drop 'for'.

That's bar for the course.

That's par for the course. — The word is the golf term 'par', not 'bar'.

Similar Idioms

To be expected Nothing new Same old story Run of the mill All Idioms →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Par for the course" mean?
"Par for the course" means what you would normally expect to happen in a particular situation; typical or usual. It often carries a slightly resigned tone, suggesting something is unwelcome but unsurprising.
Where does the idiom "Par for the course" come from?
The phrase comes from golf, where 'par' is the standard number of strokes expected to complete a hole or course. Scoring par means performing exactly as expected. From the early 20th century the expression moved into general English to describe anything normal or to be expected.
Can you give an example of "Par for the course" in a sentence?
Here is an example: "Delays on this line are par for the course during the winter." — used to say something is normal and to be expected.
Is "Par for the course" formal or informal?
It is informal to semi-formal. It is common in everyday conversation, journalism, and casual writing, but is best avoided in very formal academic or official writing.
What CEFR level is "Par for the course"?
This idiom is typically taught at B2 level. It is an upper-intermediate expression that appears frequently in spoken English and informal writing.
What are common mistakes with "Par for the course"?
A common mistake is changing the preposition to 'par of the course', or dropping 'for'. The fixed form is always 'par for the course'.
What idioms are similar to "Par for the course"?
Similar idioms include: To be expected, Run of the mill, Same old story. These share the idea of something being normal, typical, or unsurprising.
How do I practise idioms like "Par for the course"?
LexFizz's Flash Cards and Flip Tiles exercises are great for practising English idioms. Try writing your own example sentences using the idiom in context, and listen for it in films, podcasts, and conversations.
Can "Par for the course" be used in writing?
Yes, in informal and semi-formal writing, emails, and journalism. Avoid it in very formal academic writing unless you are quoting or discussing the idiom itself.
Does "Par for the course" have the same meaning in British and American English?
Yes, "Par for the course" is understood in both British and American English with the same meaning: what you would normally expect. The idiom is widely recognised across all major varieties of English.