Definition
To accept a negative aspect of a situation in order to proceed.
Origins
Possibly from the reported practice of soldiers biting a bullet to avoid crying out in pain, usually during a medical procedure or punishment. See the Wikipedia article Bite the bullet for a further discussion of possible etymologies.
In Context
- "The tenant was annoyed by the proposed rent increase, but the cost of moving would be even higher, so he bit the bullet and signed the new lease."
See Also
- bit between one's teeth
- grit one's teeth
- suck it up
- take it like a man
- take one's medicine