par for the course
exactly what one would expect; typical
In Spanish
lo normal, lo habitual
Examples
- Late merges before a release? Par for the course at this company.
- Delays in construction projects are par for the course these days.
- Criticism from the media is par for the course for any public figure.
When it's used
This idiom is informal and originates from golf, used to describe something expected or typical. It's common in casual conversation and opinion pieces. It's less frequent in formal or academic contexts.
The common mistake
A common mistake is saying 'pair for the course', assuming 'pair' is the correct term. This error arises from not recognizing 'par' as a technical golf term in English.