PhrasesHub

bit the bullet

    Definitions

      • endure hardship or difficulty
        To face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and determination, often after a period of hesitation or reluctance

      • make a difficult decision
        To finally accept and deal with a challenging or painful situation, especially after avoiding it for a period of time

    Examples of bit the bullet

    • Sarah knew that taking the certification exam would be difficult, but she finally decided to bit the bullet and sign up for it.

      This idiom suggests that Sarah had been procrastinating and putting off taking the certification exam because she was nervous or unsure about her abilities. However, she realized that continuing to put it off was only hurting her, and she needed to face her fears and take the exam. By using the phrase "bit the bullet," Sarah is acknowledging that the exam will be challenging, but she is determined to persevere and succeed.

    • After weeks of deliberating, the CEO finally made the tough decision to downsize the company and bit the bullet when he announced the layoffs to his employees.

      In this example, the CEO had been struggling with whether or not to lay off some of his employees due to financial difficulties in the company. However, he eventually realized that it was necessary for the future of the company. By saying that he "bit the bullet," he is admitting that making the decision to lay off employees was difficult and unpopular, but he felt it was the right thing to do for the company's long-term success.

    • During the negotiation, the seller finally agreed to lower the price of the house when the buyer threatened to walk away and bit the bullet to accept the lower offer.

      Here, the seller had been holding out for a higher price for the house, but the buyer was unwilling to pay that amount. In order to avoid losing the sale altogether, the seller decided to compromise and accept the lower offer. By using the phrase "bit the bullet," the seller is acknowledging that accepting the lower offer was not his first choice, but he recognized that it was a necessary compromise to ensure the sale went through.

    • The athlete gritted his teeth and bit the bullet during the final moments of the marathon, pushing himself to the limit despite the pain.

      This example is a bit different than the others because it's being used to describe a physical action rather than a decision or compromise. However, the meaning is still the same - to face a difficult or painful situation head-on and persevere. By using the phrase "bit the bullet," the athlete is acknowledging that the final moments of the marathon were incredibly challenging and painful, but he refused to give up and continued pushing himself to the finish line.

    • Sarah had been putting off going to the dentist for months, but she finally decided to bite the bullet and schedule an appointment.

      The idiom "bite the bullet" refers to accepting a difficult or unpleasant situation and facing it head-on, rather than delaying or avoiding it. In this example, Sarah had been avoiding the dentist, but ultimately decided to face her fear and make an appointment.

    • Mark knew that taking on more responsibilities at work would be challenging, but he decided it was time to bite the bullet and prove his worth to the company.

      In this example, "bite the bullet" is used to describe the decision to take on a challenging task or responsibility. Mark knew that taking on more responsibilities would be difficult, but ultimately decided to face the challenge and demonstrate his capabilities to his employer.

    • After months of debating whether to move to a new city, Rachel finally decided to bite the bullet and start packing.

      In this example, "bite the bullet" is used to describe the decision to take action, despite hesitation or doubts. Rachel had been considering moving to a new city for a long time, but eventually decided to take the plunge and begin the process of relocating.

    • The sales team had been struggling to meet their goals, but the manager encouraged them to bite the bullet and put in the extra effort necessary to succeed.

      In this example, "bite the bullet" is used to describe the decision to confront a challenging situation and work hard to overcome it. The sales team had been struggling, but their manager encouraged them to accept the challenge and put in the effort necessary to succeed.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "bit the bullet" is commonly used to describe facing a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and determination. It can also refer to finally accepting and dealing with a challenging or painful situation, especially after avoiding it for a period of time. In both cases, it signifies a willingness to endure hardship or make a difficult decision.

    Origin of "bit the bullet"

    The origin of the idiom "bit the bullet" can be traced back to the practices of battlefield medicine in the 19th century, particularly during the time of the American Civil War. When a soldier required surgery, a bullet was often used as a makeshift tool to bite down on in order to endure the pain of the procedure. This act of biting the bullet became symbolic of facing hardship with bravery and fortitude.

    Over time, the phrase "bit the bullet" evolved to encompass the broader concept of facing difficulties and making tough decisions. It has since become a widely recognized idiom in the English language, carrying the connotation of courage and resilience in the face of adversity.