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Synonyms

take it on the chin

Idioms  
  1. Suffer adversity or defeat, as in Paul really took it on the chin today when he got fired for missing a deadline. This idiom alludes to taking a physical blow on the chin. [First half of 1900s]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"We ask a lot from our crowd and today we didn't respond to those standards and we have to apologise, take it on the chin and move on."

From BBC Apr. 11, 2026

“Any question, any criticism, any opinion, you have to take it on the chin today,” Arteta said after the game.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 1, 2026

"I think it's Morgan Rogers' shirt at this moment. You have got to do what is for the good of the team. Bellingham is going to have take it on the chin."

From BBC Nov. 17, 2025

So you’re gonna fail at some point and you just have to take it on the chin and find a way to just get better.”

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 17, 2024

His lawyer told him that he would probably get prison but, well, it wouldn't be that bad and he would just have `to take it on the chin'.

From Underground by Dreyfus, Suelette

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