General
bite the bullet
What does bite the bullet mean?
To accept and endure a difficult or painful situation because it's unavoidable.
"Let's bite the bullet and migrate the database this weekend."
Origin
19th-century idiom from biting a bullet during battlefield surgery.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'bite the bullet' mean?
To brace yourself and get through something unpleasant or difficult because it can't be avoided.
Where does 'bite the bullet' come from?
It's often traced to 19th-century battlefield surgery, where a wounded soldier bit on a bullet to endure the pain without anaesthetic.
How do you use 'bite the bullet' at work?
When you finally commit to a tough but necessary task, e.g. 'let's bite the bullet and do the migration this weekend'.
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