face the music

VERB

accept the consequences

Synonyms

WEAK

be punished bite the bullet come to grips with face the facts face up to face up to it grin and bear it look square in the eye make one's bed and lie on it pay the piper swallow the pill take one's lumps take one's medicine take the consequences

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.

“Nobody was willing to face the music and request the rate hikes to do that necessary work,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2025

Or were the Wallabies that woeful, with former England boss Jones left to face the music as Australia lurch towards World Cup oblivion?

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2023

And then I’ll have to face the music.

From Slate • Jun. 29, 2023

The former president, Johnson believes, needs to face the music if he’s found guilty.

From Washington Post • Apr. 4, 2023

Emma shook her head, but all we could do was go in and face the music.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

face the music

Example Sentences

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