Meaning & use
accept the situation
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
to come to terms with a difficult situation and stop fighting it.
Grammar: The phrase already has an object, so do not add another after it.
Patterns
- accept the situation as it is
- learn to accept the situation
After months of arguing, she finally accepted the situation and moved on.
It took him a long time to accept the situation after losing his job.
You can't change the past; you just have to accept the situation.
phrasefixed phrase
to agree that a situation is real or true, even if it is unpleasant.
Grammar: Often used with 'that' to explain what is accepted.
Patterns
- accept the situation that ...
The manager accepted the situation that the project would be delayed.
We have to accept the situation that not everyone will agree.
Common combinations
- refuse to accept the situation
- He refused to accept the situation and kept looking for a solution.
- finally accept the situation
- She finally accepted the situation and started making new plans.
- accept the situation calmly
- They accepted the situation calmly and waited for further news.
- accept the situation for what it is
- It's easier when you accept the situation for what it is.
Synonyms and how they differ
- come to terms with
- Stronger and more emotional; it suggests a longer process of dealing with painful feelings.
- resign yourself to
- Suggests you accept something reluctantly because you have no choice.
Opposites
Word family
- acceptance noun
- The act of agreeing to or coming to terms with something.
- situation noun
- The set of things that are happening at a particular time.
Practice
After the accident, it took her a long time to ______ the situation.
Choose one answer.
'Accept' means come to terms with. 'Except' means 'not including', 'expect' means think something will happen, and 'access' means to enter or use something.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “accept the situation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.