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Complete Definition of "bite the bullet"

English

Etymology
From the past practice of soldiers bite|biting a bullet to avoid crying out in pain, usually during a medical procedure or punishment.

While this is given frequently as an etymology, 1 suggests that this is in fact incorrect, and the phrase derives instead from the practice of biting open paper cartridges.

Phrase
bite the bullet

  1. idiom To take a punishment or consequence with dignity or stoicism.
  2. idiom To accept a negative aspect in order to continue moving forward.

Related terms
take one's licks

Translations
rfc-level|Translations at L3+ (AutoFormat? would have corrected level of Related terms)

trans-top|take punishment
trans-mid
trans-bottom

trans-top|accept a negative aspect
German: in den sauren Apfel beissen
Russian: ÑÑиÑнÑÑÑ Ð·ÑбÑ
Swedish: bita i det sura äpplet
trans-mid
trans-bottom

Revision and Credits for"bite the bullet"
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