# rip off the bandage

idiom

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

## Meaning

To deal with a difficult situation by sudden difficult action.

## Examples

- Just rip off the bandage and tell him the truth.
- I know you are scared to quit your job, but it is time to rip off the bandage and talk to your boss.
- Rather than prolonging the inevitable anxiety of the impending layoffs, the manager decided to rip off the bandage and announce the news to the entire staff 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.