bite the bullet

Possibly from the reported practice of soldiers biting a bullet to avoid crying out in pain, usually during a medical procedure or punishment.

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bite the bullet (third-person singular simple present bites the bullet, present participle biting the bullet, simple past bit the bullet, past participle bitten the bullet)

1. (idiomatic) To endure a punishment or consequence with dignity or stoicism.
2. (idiomatic) To accept a negative aspect of a situation in order to proceed.

• grit one's teeth
• take one's licks