Meaning & use
face the music
To accept the unpleasant consequences of one's own actions or decisions, rather than avoiding them.
See it in a sentence
After the scandal broke, the director finally agreed to face the music at a press conference.
He knew he would have to face the music once his parents saw the broken window.
A note on using this word
Face the music is an idiom and should not be interpreted literally; it implies accepting criticism or punishment with courage.
Words with a similar meaning
own uptake the consequences
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
dodge responsibility
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “face the music”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.