THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Face the music
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions.
Usage note: keep in mind
Face the music means accept criticism or consequences, usually after doing something wrong. It concerns taking responsibility rather than literally listening to music. The past form is faced the music. Name the action or situation so listeners understand the consequence.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- He knew he’d made a mistake and it was time to face the music.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
He knew he’d made a mistake and it was time to ________.
Show the answer
Face the music — To accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Face the music” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions.
Compare: He knew he’d made a mistake and it was time to face the music.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
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More ways to understand and use it
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More examples in context
- I broke the shared printer and had to face the music when the office opened.
- Instead of hiding the mistake, the editor faced the music and explained what had happened.
Check your understanding
A learner admits copying an assignment and accepts the teacher's response. How does the idiom describe this?
Check your answer
The learner faces the music by accepting the consequences. Merely discovering someone else's mistake would not express the same responsibility.
Use it in your own words
Write one new situation where face the music fits. Explain the situation in plain English first, then rewrite it using the expression. Check that the tone and meaning suit your audience.