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face the music

to accept the consequences

In Idioms & Sayings

In more detail

1. (idiom) to accept the consequences of your actions or to deal with a difficult situation that you can no longer avoid

Examples

• After cheating on the test, he had to face the music when the teacher discovered the truth.

How to use face the music

Face the music is an idiom used to describe accepting responsibility or dealing with difficult realities that cannot be avoided any longer. It is typically used when someone must confront consequences, criticism, or accountability after a mistake or wrongdoing. The phrase carries a tone of resigned determination rather than enthusiasm.

Register: informal

Common phrases

• finally face the music
• have to face the music
• face the music for
• face the music head-on
• time to face the music

Synonyms

accept the consequences · face up to · confront reality · bite the bullet · take the heat

Opposites

evade · dodge · avoid

A common mistake

Learners sometimes misuse it as if it simply means 'to enjoy music' or 'to attend a concert'—it is purely metaphorical and refers only to accepting consequences or dealing with difficulty.

Nearby in Idioms & Sayings

call it a day, cut to the chase, draw the line, get out of hand, give the benefit of the doubt, hang in there

Keep going

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