ENGLISH
REFERENCE

face the music

idiom
Meaning

To accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.


Origin

disputed origin

Origin uncertain; possible sources which have been suggested include the following: * A performer on a stage facing the music from the orchestra pit when confronting a possibly hostile audience. * The historical act of a soldier who was dishonourably discharged from military service being paraded in front of other soldiers to the sound of a drum or music. * A soldier facing the noise of battle (music being military slang for the sound of gunfire or other ordnance).

Examples
SIMPLE

He broke the window and had to face the music.

CONTEXTUAL

After lying to her boss, she knew she would eventually have to face the music.

COMPLEX

Having spent the company's budget without permission, the young manager had no choice but to face the music at the board meeting.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bash someone's face in

    To beat someone violently.

  2. 02

    blow up in one's face

    To fail disastrously.

  3. 03

    boat

    [Cockney slang]face

  4. 04

    break someone's face

    To beat up someone violently.

  5. 05

    butter face

    Alternative form of butterface.

  6. 06

    close the face

    To turn the face of the bat inwards, in order to hit the ball to the leg side.

  7. 07

    cut off one's nose to spite one's face

    To harm oneself as a result of attempting to harm an adversary.

  8. 08

    face down

    To confront; to abash by stern looks.

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