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bite the bullet

/baɪt ðə ˈbʌlət/
idiom★Intermediate
informal

To endure a painful or difficult situation that is unavoidable

I know the meeting will be tough, but I have to bite the bullet and attend.

She bit the bullet and finally told her boss about the project's delays.

💡

This idiom comes from the practice of having soldiers bite down on a bullet during painful medical procedures or amputations to endure the pain without screaming.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

face the musicidiom
To accept the consequences of one's actions
take the plungeidiom
To make a difficult or risky decision

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use 'bite the bullet' when referring to accepting a difficult or unpleasant situation that must be faced. It is more common in informal speech and writing.

⚡Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

While useful, overusing this idiom can make your language sound repetitive. Vary your expressions to keep your communication fresh.

📖Word Origin

The phrase originates from 19th-century military medicine, where soldiers would bite on a bullet to endure the pain of battlefield amputations or other medical procedures without screaming. The idiom later evolved to mean enduring any difficult or unpleasant situation.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in informal contexts to describe accepting or enduring a difficult situation that cannot be avoided. It is often used when someone is reluctant to face a challenging task or responsibility.

Word Breakdown

bite
To endure or tolerate
verb
+
the bullet
A metaphor for a painful or difficult situation
noun phrase
✎ Noted on May 31, 2026EN → EN

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