Idiom
face the music
Meanings
To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions or decisions.
To confront an unpleasant reality or difficult situation instead of avoiding it.
Definition
To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of what you have done or a difficult situation.
To face the music means to stop avoiding a problem and accept the results, even if they are uncomfortable. It often refers to admitting mistakes and taking responsibility. People use it when someone must confront criticism, punishment, or hard truths.
Examples
- After months of hiding the problem, he finally had to face the music.
- If you break the rules, you’ll have to face the music sooner or later.
- She decided to face the music and tell her parents the truth.
- The company will face the music when the audit results come out.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use it for literally hearing music, but it is figurative and refers to confronting consequences or reality.
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 updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky 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 updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something you were responsible for.
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a relaxed, friendly chat with someone.
- get down to brass tacks To get down to brass tacks means to start talking about the most important, practical details of so…