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Glite Dictionary
love it or lump it

love it or lump it

8.8
Accept something as it is even if you do not like it
  • idiom
  • UK
translation icon : te gusta o lo aceptas
  • She told them it was her way, love it or lump it.

Examples

  • You can love it or lump it, but the decision has been made.

  • The rules are strict—love it or lump it.

  • You can either love it or lump it!

  • I told him he could love it or lump it.

  • If you want to stay here, you must love it or lump it.

  • Our plans are final; you can love it or lump it.

  • I won't change my mind, so you'll just have to love it or lump it.

Synonyms

to accept
vslove it or lump it
∞ 3.5

To tolerate an unpleasant situation without complaining

is an explicit command to put up with it now rather than general tolerance
to live with
vslove it or lump it
563 3.9

To accept something unpleasant that you cannot change

is an explicit, often blunt demand to accept rather than endure quietly
to let it be
vslove it or lump it
33 4.1

Accept a situation without trying to change it

is more emphatic, telling someone to accept regardless of preference
to let the chips fall where they may
vslove it or lump it
  • Informal
6 7.8

To accept what happens and not try to change the result

is more forceful, telling someone to accept a set situation now
to take as it comes
vslove it or lump it
  • Informal
6 5.0

Accept what happens calmly and do not worry

is firmer, insisting on acceptance rather than calm readiness
to grin and bear it
vslove it or lump it
  • Informal
5 6.8

To accept an unpleasant situation without complaining

is more direct and blunt about needing acceptance regardless of feeling
to lump it
vslove it or lump it
  • UK
3 8.8

Accept something unpleasant without complaining

is firmer, forcing acceptance rather than quiet tolerance
it is what it is
vslove it or lump it
  • Informal
2 7.4

Saying you accept a situation you cannot change

is more forceful, telling someone they must accept it now
to like it or lump it
vslove it or lump it
  • UK
1 8.6

Tell someone to accept a situation they cannot change

is the same sense but serves as an alternative phrasing
it can't be helped
vslove it or lump it
1 6.7

To accept a situation you cannot change

is stronger, ordering acceptance rather than merely resigning to it
to take the rough with the smooth
vslove it or lump it
  • Informal
7.7

Accept the good and bad parts of a situation

focuses more narrowly on accepting a present situation without liking it
to make your bed and lie in it
vslove it or lump it
  • Informal
7.0

To accept the bad results of your own choices

is broader, ordering acceptance of any imposed situation not only personal choices

Antonyms

to reject
839 1.9

Refuse to accept someone or something

Surface Forms

love it or lump it main

Morphology

love + it + or + lump + it

The contrastive structure (love ... or ...) gives learners a clue that the phrase offers two alternatives, but the key verb 'lump' in the collocation 'lump it' meaning 'accept something unwillingly' is not directly derivable from the common sense of 'lump' (a mass or to group together). Because part of the meaning depends on this idiomatic, colloquial use rather than straightforward composition, a B1 learner who only knows the basic words would only partially predict the full sense.

Etymology

Love it or lump it: One popular story says this comes from an old image where you were offered something and you either love it or you must take a lump (a hard piece) and not complain. So, it now means 'accept the situation as it is', whether you like it or not.