Bite the bullet

Meaning

Accept an unpleasant task or situation that cannot be avoided.

Usage

Often used to acknowledge discomfort while committing to action.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Often said to refer to soldiers biting a bullet during surgery without anesthesia, but this explanation is not well documented.

The idiom is recorded from the 19th century.