ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take on the chin

idiom
Meaning

To accept without flinching or complaining.


Origin

disputed origin

A reference to the sport of boxing.

Examples
SIMPLE

He took the bad news on the chin.

CONTEXTUAL

The team lost the final game, but they took the defeat on the chin and congratulated their opponents.

COMPLEX

Despite the unexpected failure of his project, he took the criticism on the chin and immediately began drafting a more effective strategy for the next quarter.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  2. 02

    forget to take one's medication this morning

    To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

  3. 03

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  4. 04

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

  5. 05

    I take it

    Used to express one's understanding of another's position.

  6. 06

    keep one's chin up

    To remain positive and cheerful.

  7. 07

    kick ass and take names

    To beat someone in a competition, fight, or other situation.

  8. 08

    lead with one's chin

    To behave without caution; to make oneself vulnerable.

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