to take it on the chin

Examples

• All

• This weekend the NEC took it on the chin, but there will be plenty of chances to rebound and recover from this and get the quality wins to help build the résumé of the conference.

  Blog text (19)

• When the team lost the match, the coach told them to take it on the chin and focus on the next game.

• You know, take it on the chin and ride through it.

• I just I had to just take it on the chin and go for it.

  The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

• And I can take it on the chin if I lose

  That's Entertainment! (1974)

• I can take it on the chin.

  Sullivan's Travels (1941)

• You just have to take it on the chin.

  Fiction book (1993)

• They took it on the chin and finished an amazing game well worth its money.

  Blog text (22)

• They take it on the chin, learn from their mistakes, double down and do it.

  Pain & Gain (2013)

• Barack Obama beat the silver spoon-fed Mitt Romney, who took it on the chin and could not get off the mat in one of the bloodiest campaigns on record.

  Blog text (32)

Synonyms

C

to cope with

vsto take it on the chin

150 2.9

Manage a difficult problem, situation or strong feeling

emphasizes brave acceptance of blame or hardship rather than mere effectiveness

S

to suck it up

vsto take it on the chin

• Informal

81 8.8

Accept a difficult situation and continue without complaining

accepts failure or criticism with quiet courage rather than mere endurance

F

to face the music

vsto take it on the chin

• Informal

19 4.5

Accept and deal with unpleasant results or criticism for something you did

takes blame and hardship bravely instead of avoiding responsibility

I

in stride

vsto take it on the chin

• Informal

15 5.8

To deal with problems calmly without getting upset

keeps brave acceptance and does not complain under pressure

S

to swallow pride

vsto take it on the chin

• Informal

9 5.7

To accept being wrong to make peace or get help

accepts criticism bravely without focusing on loss of dignity

T

to take lying down

vsto take it on the chin

8 7.2

To accept unfair treatment or criticism without complaining

meets criticism and difficulty bravely rather than resigning without choice

T

to take in stride

vsto take it on the chin

• Informal

5 5.0

Deal with a problem calmly without getting upset

shows courageous acceptance of criticism rather than mere calm reaction

G

to grin and bear it

vsto take it on the chin

• Informal

5 6.8

To accept an unpleasant situation without complaining

faces failure and criticism with calm bravery rather than only keeping silent

B

to bear up

vsto take it on the chin

5 4.4

To stay strong and positive when facing hard times

accepts criticism and failure with bravery, not only shows strength

T

to take one's lumps

vsto take it on the chin

• Informal

2 8.1

To accept unpleasant results and sometimes punishment for something you did

accepts blame or failure bravely rather than only suffering consequences

Antonyms

C

to complain

∞ 1.0

To say you are unhappy about something and want it changed

W

whine

• Informal

28 3.0

A high, annoying complaint

How Resilient

to withstand

122 4.2

to take it on the chin

• Informal

7 8.2

to endure

304 3.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology