bring (one) back to reality
To cause one who is fantasizing or being overly optimistic to remember or consider the true nature of something. Someone needs to bring him back to reality because there's no way he's getting into that school with his mediocre grades. I was excited to book a vacation until my nearly-depleted bank account brought me back to reality.
bring someone back to reality
to force someone to face reality. The rain shower brought her back to reality. Liz was brought back to reality by a rude shock.