What does 'bite the bullet' mean? Listen to The English We Speak

Hello! This is The English We Speak,

I'm Feifei...

...and I'm Rob.

We may sound a little different. That's

because we are not able to record

in our normal studios

during the coronavirus outbreak.

This programme comes with

a safety warning! It involves bullets

- well, not real ones. That would be

dangerous. Toy bullets ... just

to illustrate the point.

Bullets! What English expression

mentions bullets?!

I will explain - and, Rob, you can help.

Here is a toy bullet...

Where did you get that from?!

Don't ask. Now, Rob, would you put it

between your teeth please?

What? Are you crazy?!

Please, Rob. It would really

help our audience.

OK, Feifei! Here goes... Right, I am

biting the bullet.

So, Rob, you are being brave and

forcing yourself to do something

unpleasant, but necessary.

I didn't force myself, you told me to do it!

Sorry, Rob, I can't understand you - but

when someone 'bites the bullet',

they are forced

to do, or accept that they have to do

something difficult or unpleasant.

Let's hear some examples

of other people who have

to bite the bullet...

I have a pile of work to finish, so I'm going

to have to work all night - I guess I'll have

to bite the bullet.

If I'm going get fit, I'll have to bite the

bullet and start going to the gym. Urghh!

If you want to start dating Jitka you're

going to have to bite the bullet

and ask her out!

This is The English We Speak from BBC

Learning English, and we're

talking about the expression

'to bite the bullet'. It describes having

to do something unpleasant

or difficult, but

necessary.

So, can I stop biting a bullet now, please?

Not yet, Rob. What you are

doing is 'necessary'.

Yes, but it's not easy speaking with

a bullet in your mouth.

Exactly! Peace and quiet. But careful, Rob.

Don't swallow it - otherwise things could

get very unpleasant.

Thanks for the advice, Feifei... ooops.

Bye, Rob.

Bye.