Face the Music
Meaning: To accept the unpleasant results of something you did.
To “face the music” means to deal with the results of your actions, especially when they are unpleasant. The phrase may come from soldiers facing military bands before punishment. Today, it’s used to say someone must accept the consequences of what they’ve done.
How to use it
Use it when someone has to deal with punishment, criticism or a bad result they caused. It’s informal to neutral and common at work, in the news and at home. It often comes after “have to” or “time to”: “It’s time to face the music.”
Examples
- I missed the deadline, so tomorrow I’ll have to face the music.
- After the bad review went viral, the restaurant owner had to face the music.
- You broke the vase. It’s time to face the music and tell Mom.
A common mistake
It’s face the music, not “face to the music” or “face with the music.” And it has nothing to do with enjoying music.
Where it comes from
No one knows for sure. It’s first recorded in the United States in the 1800s. One theory points to soldiers being dismissed from the army to the sound of drums; another points to nervous actors facing the orchestra in front of the stage.
Say it out loud
Tabbi Daily gives you one short lesson like this every day. Listen, record yourself and hear how you sound. Free, no account needed.
Source: Grammarist