# rip off the band-aid

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/rip-off-the-band-aid
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To perform a painful or unpleasant, but necessary, action quickly so as to minimize the pain or fear associated with it.

## Examples

- I need to rip off the band-aid and tell him the truth.
- Instead of waiting for the right moment, she decided to rip off the band-aid and resign from her job immediately.
- Rather than prolonging the inevitable anxiety of the situation, he chose to rip off the band-aid and deliver the difficult news to the entire team at once.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.