be par for the course
to be what you would normally expect to happen – used to show disapproval
par for the course
NORMAL, typical, standard, usual, what one would expect

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

par for the course
what should be expected because of past experience.
The school budget is going to be cut again this year, but then that's par for the course.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of par for the course (= the expected number of times a good player in golf will hit the ball to get it in all the holes)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

par for the course
to be just what was expected, to be nothing unusual; what is normal or expected in a given situation (in golf par is the usual number of strokes needed to go around a golf course)
That was par for the course. He always comes late when there is a lot of work to do.

A bad attitude at work is par for the course for that supervisor and it is something that management must deal with.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

par for the course
n. phr., informal Just what was expected; nothing unusual; a typical happening.
■ Usually refers to things going wrong.
Mary is very clumsy so it was par for the course when she bumped into the table and broke the vase.
When John came late again, Mary said, "That's par for the course."
Compare: ALL IN A DAY'S WORK, RUNNING TRUE TO FORM.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲