Dictionary

face the music en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• /ˌfeɪs ðə ˈmjuːzɪk/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˌfeɪs ðə ˈmjuzɪk/ (General-American)

Etymology

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).

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) To accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
   • 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. 1926, Agatha Christie, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd:
   • Trevor Philips (Steven Ogg): Time to face the music! 2013, Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Auto V, scene: Exiting a robbed bank surrounded by police with minigun and ballistic suit, level/area: The Paleto Score:
   • 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. 1941 December, Kenneth Brown, “The Newmarket & Chesterford Railway—II”, in The Railway Magazine, London: Tothill Press, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 533:

Forms

Relateds

bite the bullet · pay the piper

Synonyms

face up to · pay the penalty · pay the price

Translations (18)

fi kestää seuraukset (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · cmn 自食其果 (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · es afrontar las consecuencias (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · es aguantar el chaparrón (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · cy wynebu'r canlyniadau (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · kw eneby an sewyansow (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · de den Kopf hinhalten (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · de die Suppe auslöffeln (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · es atenerse a las consecuencias (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · sv stå sitt kast (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · is súpa seyðið (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · fi vastata seurauksista (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · pl ponieść konsekwencje (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · ru расхлёбывать ка́шу (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · pl ponosić konsekwencje (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · it far fronte alla tempesta (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · pt arcar com as consequências (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions) · it pagare il fio (to accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions)