Are you trying to find the words to make a reply to someone after they tell you some bad news they have to face? "It be like that sometimes" is a colloquial slang term to tell someone you're sorry to hear that.
It be like that sometimes, is usually language you'll be using with your friends or peers, and people that speak in the same colloquial dialects. Let's unpack everything you need to know about using this idiom in conversation.
It Be like that Sometimes Meaning
"It be like that sometimes" is a colloquial phrase used in street culture, describing an unfortunate circumstance. The person who is saying the phrase might not have an explanation for a statement or question issued by another person in the conversation.
You can use "it be like that sometimes" as a way to soften the impact of another person telling you a tragic event. Or you could use it as a way to tell someone you don't know any information about what they are asking you.
The phrase is still alive in popular language, but it's a bit dated since the trend in its use seems to have faded off in mainstream zoomer culture.
It Be like that Sometimes Example Usage
"Sorry I couldn't make it to study group girl, I had to see a friend, she in trouble. You know it be like that sometimes."
"Aw heck Darnell, it be like that sometimes, you know? I didn't mean to forget your cash."
"I ate so much at the buffet. It be like that sometimes, when I'm just so hungry."
"Kerry left Mike because he cheated on her, you know it be like that sometimes."
It Be like that Sometimes Origin
No one really knows where this phrase emerged. There was a series of YouTube content with short videos from creators using the phrase in thumbnails and video titles and in the video content itself. The videos, released around 2016 to 2017, would describe a bad or unfortunate situation in a person's life.
This content spun off into several memes, with the most noticeable being Dr. Phil. Dr. Phil had his face merged onto a green M&M, with the phrase "it really do be like that sometimes." The meme was circulating around the internet in 2017, gaining some popularity in street slang with the younger generation for a few years.
However, the phrase's popularity faded with the trend, and while it's still in use today, using it might make you seem out of touch with colloquial language trends.
Phrases Similar to It Be like that Sometimes
- That how things pan out.
- Let the universe unfold as it should.
- That's just how things are.
- What you gonna do?
- It is what it is.
Phrases Opposite to It Be like that Sometimes
- I expected that.
- You get what you give.
- That's never gonna happen to me.
What is the Correct Saying?
- It be like that sometimes.
- It really do be like that sometimes.
- It just be like that sometimes.
- It be like that.
Ways People May Say It Be like that Sometimes Incorrectly
Some people may use "it be like that sometimes” incorrectly. Using the phrase at someone's funeral to their family members when trying to describe the situation would be an example of incorrect use. Using the phrase in a formal conversation, like at a corporate meeting, would also be inappropriate.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase It Be like that Sometimes
You can use "it be like that sometimes" when you're talking to someone about life events, usually in your social circle. It's suitable for describing minor and major adverse events in life, from being unable to find your keys to describing someone's death.