take it on the chin
Bear without complaint
To take it on the chin is to accept a blow, setback, or criticism without complaint or evasion—facing difficulty squarely rather than ducking it.
The image comes from boxing, where a fighter who doesn't flinch absorbs the punch directly: The company took the loss on the chin and moved forward.
She took the criticism on the chin and kept working.
- roll with the punchesCope with adversity flexibly
- roll with itAccept circumstances calmly
- face the musicAccept deserved consequences
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- bear the bruntAbsorb primary impact
perseverance · acceptance · no hard feelings · setback · bounce back · fortitude · composure · soldier on · suck it up · stoicism · keep a stiff upper lip · stiff upper lip · hang tough · stand firm · weather the storm · grit · obstacle · bite the bullet
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
- couragebravery, resilience, fearlessness, boldness, courage
- perseverancepersist, never give up, tenacity, hang in there, endurance
take it on the chinhowl
Prolonged mournful cry
protest · throw a tantrum · whine · decry · make a scene
take it on the chinmake excuses
Give self-serving explanations
shift the blame · pass the buck · point fingers · scapegoat · disown
take, takes, taken, taking, taker, chin, chins, chinned, chinning