IELTS Idiom: Face the Music

Learning to use idioms and expressions which are common in the English language will make your English sound more native. In our Idiom of the Week series, we will be exploring common English idioms to help you excel in native English.

Idiom of the Week: Face the music

To accept the consequences of an action.

Example 1

A: Is there any way you can tell him instead? He’s going to be really angry with me when he finds out I broke his camera.
B: No, I’m afraid not. You took it without asking, and now you need to face the music.

Example 2

Question: How do you think parents should discipline their children?
Answer: I think that depends on the parent and the seriousness of the child’s behaviour. Maybe reducing a child’s privileges or not letting them go out and play is a good way to punish them. I don’t think parents should hit children as that sends a very negative message, but I also think they shouldn’t send the message that there are no consequences to doing something wrong. Children need to understand that they have to face the music when they misbehave and that they will be punished for it.