Idiom
face the music
Meanings
To accept and confront the unpleasant results of your actions, especially after avoiding them.
To deal directly with a difficult situation or harsh reality that cannot be avoided.
Definition
To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.
To face the music means to accept responsibility and confront an uncomfortable truth, criticism, or punishment. It is used when someone can no longer avoid what will happen because of something they did or a problem they must address. The expression often suggests courage and honesty after a period of denial or avoidance.
Examples
- After the audit, the company had to face the music.
- I finally decided to face the music and admit I broke the vase.
- If you skip practice all week, you’ll have to face the music at tryouts.
- He knew he had to face the music when his parents saw his report card.
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.
- get down to brass tacks To get down to brass tacks means to start discussing the most important practical details of someth…