T-learning # Idiom
Speak Like a Native

Face the music !

Choose the correct definition a, b or c.

a) to be praised for your actions

Sorry, wrong answer. Please try again.

b) to deal with the consequences

Well done ! That’s the right answer.

to face the music’ means to accept the unpleasant results of one’s actions/face the consequences.

French translation

prendre ses responsabilités

How NOT to translate : *faire face à la musique

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Examples in context

‘All sorts of people find themselves sitting in front of these increasingly vociferous, confident and newsworthy collections of backbenchers from all parties. The comedian Russell Brand, the-then chief executive of Barclays Bank, Bob Diamond, and Rupert Murdoch may not have much in common.
But they have all faced the music.

BBC News, UK 11 Jan. 2013

............

‘"I think justice now has a chance to prevail, now that he has handed himself in," DR Congo’s ambassador to the UK, Kikaya Bin Karubi, told the BBC.
"The most wanted criminal in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has seen that he has no other option now, and the best option for him is to go and face the music.."’

BBC News, 19 March 2013

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Everyday usage

We know what we did was wrong. We ought to face the music or else it will get worse the longer we leave it.

She needed to face the music before she lost another best friend.

c) to sing in public

Sorry, wrong answer. Please try again.


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