Idiom
bite the bullet
Meanings
To force yourself to do something difficult, unpleasant, or frightening that you have been avoiding.
Definition
To bite the bullet means to face a difficult or unpleasant situation bravely and do what must be done.
If you bite the bullet, you accept that something will be painful, scary, or unpleasant and you do it anyway. It often suggests stopping delays, excuses, or worry and taking decisive action. People use it for tough decisions, difficult conversations, or tasks they have been avoiding.
Examples
- I finally bit the bullet and went to the dentist.
- We need to bite the bullet and tell them the truth today.
- She bit the bullet and apologized even though it was awkward.
- After months of delays, he bit the bullet and quit his job.
- They bit the bullet and paid for the repairs upfront.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.