took one's medicine
Faced the music
To take one's medicine is to accept unpleasant consequences or punishment without complaint, especially when deserved.
The phrase evokes a child reluctantly swallowing bitter medicine because it's necessary: He knew he'd messed up and took his medicine without excuses.
Sometimes used for enduring criticism or setbacks stoically.
- face the musicAccept deserved consequences
- grin and bear itEndure hardship without complaint
- bite the bulletAccept inevitable hardship
- swallow one's prideAccept wounded ego gracefully
- take it on the chinAccept misfortune without complaining
take your lumps · tough it out · perseverance · compliance · ownership · pay the piper · grit · dosage · culpability · restitution · reparation · consequences · roll with the punches · integrity · suck it up · man up · mental toughness · fortitude
took one's medicineslipped through the cracks
Escaped notice despite oversight
took one's medicineran away
Departed hastily to escape
fled · buried one's head in the sand · turned tail · cut and run · chickened out
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