English Explanatory Dictionary

bite the bullet

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To accept a negative aspect of a situation in order to proceed.
  2. To accept an undesirable or counterintuitive implication of an argument or view.

Pronunciation

en-au-bite the bullet.ogg

Word forms

bite the bullet bites the bullet biting the bullet bit the bullet bitten the bullet

Etymology

Possibly from the reported practice of soldiers biting a bullet to avoid crying out in pain, usually during a medical procedure or punishment. See the Wikipedia article Bite the bullet for a further discussion of possible etymologies.

Related words

bit between one's teeth grit one's teeth suck it up take it like a man take one's medicine
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