bit the bullet
Faced the unpleasant
Bit the bullet is the past tense of bite the bullet, meaning to force yourself through something painful or unpleasant.
The phrase suggests enduring hardship with resolve: She bit the bullet and told him the truth.
It evokes the image of a patient clenching down during surgery before anesthesia.
Boldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- nerveSignal-carrying body fiber
mettle · pluck · gutsiness · boldness · fearlessness · backbone · spunk · gallantry
Firmness of purpose
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- decisivenessAbility to choose firmly
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
conviction · firmness · finality · taking the plunge · moment of truth · crossing the Rubicon · point of no return · reckoning
Sustained resolve despite obstacles
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- stoicismUncomplaining acceptance of difficulty
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
patience · tolerance · stamina · hardiness · grit · sufferance · survival · bearing up
Voluntary relinquishment of position
- submissionYielding to another's will
- acquiescenceUnresisting acceptance
- concessionYielding a point
- yieldingBending under pressure
capitulation · coming to terms · making peace · swallowing pride · facing facts · reconciliation · acknowledgment · surrender
bravery
Boldness before danger
nerve · mettle · pluck · gutsiness · boldness · fearlessness · backbone · spunk · gallantry · daring
resolve
Firmness of purpose
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- decisivenessAbility to choose firmly
willpower · conviction · firmness · finality · taking the plunge · moment of truth · crossing the Rubicon · point of no return · reckoning · do or die
perseverance
Sustained resolve despite obstacles
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- stoicismUncomplaining acceptance of difficulty
steadfastness · patience · tolerance · stamina · hardiness · grit · sufferance · survival · bearing up · toughing out
resignation
Voluntary relinquishment of position
- submissionYielding to another's will
- acquiescenceUnresisting acceptance
- concessionYielding a point
yielding · capitulation · coming to terms · making peace · swallowing pride · facing facts · reconciliation · acknowledgment · surrender · letting go
bit the bulletprocrastinated
Postponed action unnecessarily
avoided · put off · kicked the can down the road · dodged · evaded
bit the bulletdithered
Was unable to decide
vacillated · waffled · hemmed and hawed · dragged one's feet · hesitated
bit the bulletchickened out
Retreated from fear
backed down · caved · wimped out · got cold feet · turned tail
bite, bitten, biting, bites, biter, bullet, bullets, bulleted, bulletproof