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bite the bullet

to face a difficult situation bravely

In Idioms & Sayings

In more detail

(idiom) to accept a difficult or unpleasant situation and deal with it bravely without complaining

Examples

• After months of delay, the company had to bite the bullet and invest in new equipment.

How to use bite the bullet

This idiom means to courageously confront or endure something difficult or painful that cannot be avoided. It emphasizes resignation mixed with resolve, often used when difficult action or sacrifice is unavoidable. It conveys a sense of steeling oneself rather than passive acceptance alone.

Register: informal

Common phrases

• bite the bullet and
• finally bite the bullet
• have to bite the bullet
• time to bite the bullet
• just bite the bullet

Synonyms

face the music · grin and bear it · take the plunge · tough it out · accept the inevitable

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse this with 'bite off more than you can chew' (taking on too much), which is a different idiom entirely.

Nearby in Idioms & Sayings

once in a blue moon, the tip of the iceberg, cut corners, break the ice, piece of cake, under the weather

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained