Eleventh hour

[1131] Face the music

🎲 Fit as a fiddle
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To accept responsibility and deal with the negative consequences of one's actions.

Origin

  • Uncertain, but several theories exist.
  • One suggests it comes from the military, where a soldier being dismissed dishonorably would be drummed out facing the regimental band (the music).
  • Another relates to actors facing the audience (and orchestra music) even after a poor performance.
  • Regardless, it implies facing something unpleasant resulting from one's actions. Popular since the mid-19th century.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Take responsibility.
  • Accept the consequences.
  • Pay the price.
  • Bite the bullet. (Face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage)
  • Own up to it.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Take the heat.
  • Take your lumps. (Accept punishment or criticism)
  • Man up / Woman up / Suck it up (Often used dismissively, telling someone to deal with it without complaining can be seen as insensitive)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Deal with the shit.
  • Own your shit. (Accept responsibility for mistakes)

Milder/Standard:

  • Address the situation.
  • Answer for your actions.
  • Bear the consequences.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Appropriate in most contexts, informal and formal.
  • Used when someone needs to accept blame or consequences.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The connection to music is entirely metaphorical.
  • Learners should understand it means confronting unpleasant consequences, not literally listening to music.

Examples

  • After crashing his dad's car, he knew he had to go home and face the music.
  • The company executives had to face the music when the scandal broke.
  • You made the mistake, now you need to face the music.

Dialogue

Sarah: I heard management found out about the budget error.

Tom: Yeah... I guess it's time for me to face the music. I was responsible for that account.

Sarah: Good luck. Let me know if you need anything.

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: Well, I messed up. Time to face the music and apologize. #TakingResponsibility
  • Blog post title: Facing the Music: Lessons Learned from a Failed Startup
  • Comment: He can run, but he can't hide forever. Eventually, he'll have to face the music.

Response Patterns

  • I know, I have to. (Resignation)
  • It's not fair! (Defensiveness)
  • What do you think will happen? (Seeking information about consequences)
  • I'm scared. (Expressing fear)

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After acceptance (I know, I have to):

  • Might involve discussing how to approach the situation or offering support. Do you want me to come with you? or Just be honest about it.

After defensiveness (It's not fair!):

  • Could lead to an argument or a discussion about responsibility. Whether it's fair or not, you were involved.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Usually used when discussing the aftermath of a negative action or event.

Intonation

  • Stress usually on FACE and MUSIC.
  • Often said with a tone of resignation, grim determination, or admonishment.
  • It's time to FACE the MUSIC.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood and used across generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all major English-speaking regions.
Eleventh hour
🎲 Fit as a fiddle