bite the bullet

VERB

endure pain bravely

Synonyms

WEAK

be forced bow to fate cross the Rubicon face the music have no choice know no alternative leap into the breach pay the piper seize the opportunity stand up and take it suck it up swallow the pill take it take one's medicine take the rap

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At 66, he wondered whether it was time to bite the bullet.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

Here, too, we’ll bite the bullet: Virtue signaling is—or can often be—virtuous.

From Slate • May 15, 2026

“But with a strong enough discount, people may bite the bullet and get one.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2025

He said he and his wife Carol would have to "bite the bullet" when it came to their finances.

From BBC • Aug. 23, 2024

I bite the bullet and rip off my shirt.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy