The idiom 'bite the bullet' means to decide to do something difficult or unpleasant that one has been putting off or is hesitant about. This video explains the meaning and use of the idiom 'bite the bullet' in English. We explain how to use it with some easy examples for Spoken and Business English.
This idiom is commonly heard in both social and professional situations. The phrase dates back to the days before anaesthetics, when wounded soldiers were given a bullet or a similar solid object to clench between their teeth when undergoing surgery, in order to keep them from screaming out in pain. On the battlefield, what was mostly available was a bullet or a leather strap. So, soldiers bit a bullet to help them endure the pain of whatever surgery without anaesthesia, for example removing a bullet in a wound.
Further Examples:
She was upset because of what happened, but she also had to bite the bullet and put on a brave face because she was at a party.
The company had a lot of money on the deal, but there was no going back now. They had to bite the bullet.