Meaning: To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage and fortitude, often accepting something unpleasant because it is unavoidable.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “I know the surgery will be tough, but I’ll just have to bite the bullet and get through it.”
- “Despite the layoffs, employees are determined to bite the bullet and continue working hard.”
- “We’ll have to bite the bullet and tell him the truth, even though it might hurt his feelings.”
Origin: The phrase “bite the bullet” originated in the mid-19th century, during a time when battlefield medicine was primitive and anesthesia was not readily available. Soldiers undergoing surgery would literally be given a bullet to bite down on to help endure the pain. The phrase evolved to symbolize facing hardship or adversity with courage and resilience, even when there are no easy solutions.