To face the music

Meaning: To confront the unpleasant consequences of your actions.

Example: “He skipped class all month, and now he has to face the music with the principal.”

Origin: Possibly theatrical — facing the orchestra pit and the audience — or military, from drumming a disgraced soldier out.

Equivalents in other languages

To butter someone up To flatter someone to win their favor.
Russian roulette Any high-risk activity undertaken needlessly, where disaster may strike without warning.
pull back the curtain To expose a hidden truth or reality behind an appearance.
present company excepted These remarks do not apply to anyone currently present in this conversation.
on sufferance Tolerated reluctantly and only because one has no better choice.
set in stone Unchangeable and permanent, fixed beyond modification.

Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.

Make not the devil blacker than he is. Don't exaggerate someone's faults or paint them worse than reality warrants.
He needs must go that the devil drives. Desperation compels action when circumstances leave no choice but obedience to dire neces…
One must sometimes hold a candle to the devil. Pragmatic compromise with unsavory people or situations may be necessary to achieve impor…

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