face the music

Meaning

Verb

• To accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.

Origin

• Origin unclear. First appeared in the 19th century. It may be from either the theater or the military. Either facing literal music: as the performers on the stage are facing the music from the orchestra pit when confronting a possibly hostile audience; or a soldier is facing the military band at a dressing-down ceremony; or the music is by grim humor a euphemism for the noise of battle.