face the music

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).

• "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."
• "Hudson personally would not face the music at that meeting and the business could hardly proceed for groans and hisses and cries of "Hudson! Hudson! Why is Hudson not here?" and so the ungrateful shareholders to whom Hudson had generously paid dividends out of their own capital cast out Hudson bag and baggage, including therein the agreement with the Newmarket Railway."
• "Trevor Philips (Steven Ogg): Time to face the music!"

• face up to
• pay the penalty
• pay the price

• bite the bullet
• pay the piper