face the music
English · Thesaurus
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face the music
- /ˌfeɪs ðə ˈmjuːzɪk/ UK
- /ˌfeɪs ðə ˈmjuzɪk/ US
Rhymes with -uːzɪk
Where it comes from
Origin uncertain; possible sources which have been suggested include the following:
* A performer on a stage facing the music from the orchestra pit when confronting a possibly hostile audience.
* The historical act of a soldier who was dishonourably discharged from military service being paraded in front of other soldiers to the sound of a drum or music.
* A soldier facing the noise of battle (music being military slang for the sound of gunfire or other ordnance).
verb faces the music · facing the music · faced the music
-
To accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
As for that husband of yours, I don't think much of him, and I tell you so candidly. Running away and leaving you to face the music.
Similar: face up to, pay the penalty, pay the price
Translations
Every language
verb to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions
| Español | afrontar las consecuencias, aguantar el chaparrón, atenerse a las consecuencias |
|---|---|
| 中文 | 自食其果 zìshíqíguǒ |
| Português | arcar com as consequências |
| Deutsch | den Kopf hinhalten, die Suppe auslöffeln |
| Italiano | pagare il fio, far fronte alla tempesta |
| Русский | расхлёбывать ка́шу rasxljóbyvatʹ kášu |
Talk about this word "face the music." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/face%20the%20music. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. face the music. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/face%20the%20music "face the music." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/face%20the%20music.Cite this
@misc{face_the_music_2026,
title = {face the music},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/face%20the%20music},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
