wake up and smell the coffee
US /weɪk ʌp ænd smɛl ðə ˈkɔːfi/
UK /weɪk ʌp ænd smɛl ðə ˈkɔːfi/
1.
to become aware of what is really happening in a situation, especially when it is not what you want or expect
:
•
It's time to wake up and smell the coffee; your business is failing.
•
He keeps denying the problem, but he needs to wake up and smell the coffee.