face the music

Cultural  

1. To accept unpleasant consequences: “After several years of cheating his employer, the embezzler finally had to face the music.”

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face the music Idioms  

1. Confront unpleasantness, especially the consequences of one's errors. For example, When the check bounced, he had to face the music. The precise allusion in this expression has been lost. Most authorities believe it refers to a theater's pit orchestra, which an actor must face when he faces what can be a hostile audience, but some hold it comes from the military, where a formal dismissal in disgrace would be accompanied by band music. [Second half of 1800s] Also see face up to.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

face the music

At that meeting Merz may have to face the music from lawmakers angered by the way he conducted the reshuffle, including the botched sacking of transport minister Patrick Schnieder.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

It's fun watching such bad guys face the music, but there is one thing all these cases are lacking, if one craves a satisfying tale of crime and punishment: Sympathetic victims.

From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2023

Here’s why his efforts to not face the music in Fulton County should ultimately fail.

From Slate ● Aug. 23, 2023

“Now he’s got to face the music and pay for it.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2023

I glance at the clock—three minutes until he closes it and I have to face the music.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone