take the rough with the smooth

1. Accept the bad along with the good, as in You can't expect to close a lot of sales every week—you have to take the rough with the smooth. This adage was first recorded about 1400. Also see take the bitter with the sweet.

Example Sentences

Manchester City’s uncertain future: City and its fans have to take the rough with the smooth — their success would not have been possible without the 2008 takeover.

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“Royals are not puppets of the press, since — if they have any sense — they realize they can be biffed as well as praised. The wise ones know how to take the rough with the smooth.’

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"It's all good fun, I enjoy that side of things so I take the rough with the smooth."

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Mr Bercow told him "members do have to take the rough with the smooth" and he tried to "always do my best to be fair to the miscellany of different points of view represented in this House".

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“In that respect, it was difficult, but being a professional, you’ve got to take the rough with the smooth and realize they are doing it for a business. You can’t hold grudges against people. You can understand it from their point of view.”

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