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Bite the bullet means to do what you have to do, unpleasant as it is, but better in the long run than not doing it. A wounded person without anesthesia might have to endure extreme pain, which could cause him to bite his own tongue or cheeks, causing even more damage on top of whatever had already happened to him. Someone might give him a bullet to bite, so he could focus on it and not bite unpredictably.

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13y ago

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Is bold an idiom?

An idiom is a phrase that seems to make no sense unless you know the definition. Bold is a word.


What is the correct way to write the phrase it's time to swallow the bullet?

A more common and less violent way to express this idea is: "It's time to bite the bullet."


When was Bite the Bullet - film - created?

Bite the Bullet - film - was created in 1975.


Does Bite the Bullet mean go to sleep?

No


What are the ratings and certificates for Meltdown - 2013 Bite the Bullet 1-1?

Meltdown - 2013 Bite the Bullet 1-1 is rated/received certificates of: USA:TV-PG


What means to gum the bullet?

I do not know.But an expression I know that is somewhat similar is "Bite the bullet"This means to withstand the pain, endure, accept that there are difficulties, suffer the consequences, etc.The expression come from a century or more ago when there were no anesthetics available. An injured person would be told to bite down on something fairly hard but not brittle (the lead of a bullet) in order to withstand the pain of surgery.


What does 'bite the bullet' mean?

Wait even if its hard to wait


What the idiom mean bite the bullet and get down to business?

Bite the bullet : Take the plunge. In other words when you are in an undecisive situation, where taking a specific decision might imply a bit of risk, to 'bite the bullet' means to finally arrive to a decision. Get down to business : To start working, usually after a break/discontinum in work


Where does the saying "bite the bullet" come from?

The exact origins of the phrase are difficult to pin down, but it’s generally attributed to the practice of biting on a bullet during warfare to deal with pain or discomfort.According to one theory, soldiers would bite bullets during field amputations during the Civil War. Patients would either die or “bite the bullet" and undergo a horrific operation. The lead balls, while not exactly nutritious, would absorb the bite without damaging their teeth.While some believe this arose during the Civil War, when field amputations were common, etymology blog The Phrase Finder notes that Civil War surgeons would have had access to ether and other anesthetics—soldiers wouldn’t be forced to bite bullets, sticks, or other items. Besides, the phrase predates the Civil War.Another theory: Musket ammunition was supplied to gunmen in a paper cartridge. Half the cartridge contained the musket ball, and half contained the gunpowder that the musket ball needed to fire. To load their muskets, gunmen would bite the cartridge open so they could pour in the gunpowder and jam the ball in behind it.While this seems like a plausible origin of the phrase, there’s nothing especially painful about biting off the top of a paper cartridge. Perhaps the phrase started among soldiers who were trying to ready one other for battle: “Just bite the bullet, and we can start fighting.”There’s another possibility. In the 1788 text A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, lexicographer Francis Grose—himself a former soldier—suggested the phrase came from military punishments. Here’s Grose’s definition of a “nightingale,” an antiquated phrase for a coward.“Nightingale - A soldier who, as the term is, sings out [during corporal punishment]. It is a point of honor in some regiments, among the grenadiers, never to cry out, or become nightingales, whilst under the discipline of the cat-of-nine tails; to avoid which, they chew a bullet.”The cat-of-nine-tails was a whip used for corporal punishment. Soldiers bit bullets, which could be easily concealed in their mouths, to avoid crying out (and thus becoming “nightingales") during their floggings.This appears to be the most likely answer, although it’s possible we don’t have a complete history. Perhaps we’ll just bite the bullet and acknowledge that we can’t truly know the origins of this idiom.


What is the verb phrase in That dog will not bite you.?

will not


What does it's time to swallow the bullet mean?

The phrase "it's time to swallow the bullet" is often a variation of "bite the bullet," which means to face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and determination. It suggests that one must confront a challenge or make a tough decision, even if it is uncomfortable or painful. Essentially, it emphasizes the need for resilience and acceptance in the face of adversity.


What are some different expressions?

"Break a leg" - a phrase used to wish someone good luck. "Spill the beans" - a phrase meaning to reveal a secret. "Piece of cake" - a phrase meaning something is easy to do. "Bite the bullet" - a phrase meaning to endure a painful situation.