182.- Bite the bullet. PROFESOR.
Summary
Learn an English expression that involves bullets but isn’t dangerous. This phrase describes situations where you have to do something unpleasant but can’t be avoided, and Rob is about to do just that to illustrate this for you!
Transcript
Feifei
Hello! This is The English We Speak, I’m Feifei…
Rob
…and I’m Rob.
Feifei
We may sound a little different. That’s because we are not able to record in our normal studios during the coronavirus outbreak. This programme comes with a safety warning! It involves bullets – well, not real ones. That would be dangerous. Toy bullets – just to illustrate the point.
Rob
Bullets! What English expression mentions bullets?!
Feifei
I will explain – and, Rob, you can help. Here is a toy bullet…
Rob
Where did you get that from?!
Feifei
Don’t ask. Now, Rob, would you put it between your teeth please?
Rob
What? Are you crazy?!
Feifei
Please, Rob. It would really help our audience.
Rob
OK, Feifei! Here goes… Right, I am biting the bullet.
Feifei
So, Rob, you are being brave and forcing yourself to do something unpleasant, but necessary.
Rob
I didn’t force myself, you told me to do it!
Feifei
Sorry, Rob, I can’t understand you – but when someone ‘bites the bullet’, they are forced to do, or accept that they have to do something difficult or unpleasant. Let’s hear some examples of other people who have to bite the bullet…
Examples
I have a pile of work to finish, so I’m going to have to work all night – I guess I’ll have to bite the bullet.
If I’m going to get fit, I’ll have to bite the bullet and start going to the gym. Urghh!
If you want to start dating Jitka you’re going to have to bite the bullet and ask her out!
Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re talking about the expression ‘to bite the bullet’. It describes having to do something unpleasant or difficult, but necessary.
Rob
So, can I stop biting a bullet now, please?
Feifei
Not yet, Rob. What you are doing is ‘necessary’.
Rob
Yes, but it’s not easy speaking with a bullet in your mouth.
Feifei
Exactly! Peace and quiet. But careful, Rob. Don’t swallow it – otherwise things could get very unpleasant.
Rob
Thanks for the advice, Feifei… ooops.
Feifei
Bye, Rob.
Rob
Bye.
Bite the bullet
Meaning
- to endure a painful experience that you cannot avoid
- to make yourself endure something unpleasant or painful
- to be brave and face a difficult situation
- to avoid showing fear or discomfort in an unpleasant situation
Example Sentences
- When the time comes, I’ll bite the bullet and take my punishment without a fuss.
- The accused man bit the bullet as the judge handed down his sentence.
- Mary has to learn to bite the bullet and face her fears of flying.
- Given what was as stake, Lisa had to bite the bullet and ignore all the blood as she tried to help the accident victim.
- All soldiers have to bite the bullet when they get their drafting letter.
Origin
In medieval times, before the discovery of anaesthesia, when soldiers were wounded in battle and had to be treated or undergo surgery, they were made to bite on something hard to keep them from screaming out in pain. On the battlefield, what was primarily available was a bullet or a leather strap. So soldiers bit the bullet to be able to endure the pain of surgery without anaesthesia. This is where the phrase originates from.
