ENGLISH
REFERENCE

suck it up

idiom
Meaning

To put up with something; to deal with something, such as pain or misfortune, without complaining.


Origin

disputed origin

Probably a variation of the expression suck up your chest, meaning roughly compose yourself, bear your troubles, stand tall, and proceed.

Examples
SIMPLE

The work is boring, but you just have to suck it up.

CONTEXTUAL

I know you are tired after the long flight, but we have to suck it up and finish the presentation today.

COMPLEX

Despite the grueling conditions and the exhaustion weighing upon his limbs, he decided to suck it up and complete the final leg of the journey.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    suck a big one

    To be terrible; to be of a very low standard.

  2. 02

    suck a lemon

    To be in a sour or negative mood.

  3. 03

    suck and blow

    To perform two incompatible actions; to hold views which are in contradiction.

  4. 04

    suck donkey balls

    To be terrible, of extremely poor quality.

  5. 05

    suck down

    To drink (or, more rarely, eat) all of something quickly.

  6. 06

    suck dry

    To exhaust all the resources of someone or something.

  7. 07

    suck face

    To kiss, especially deeply and for a prolonged time.

  8. 08

    suck hind tit

    To feed from an inferior source of food.

Last updated April 17, 2026