take (something) on the chin

take (something) on the chin

1. Literally, to receive an impact, especially a punch, on one's chin. He took the heavyweight champ's deadly left hook on the chin, and he was knocked out cold then and there.2. To endure some hardship, difficulty, setback, or defeat, especially with stoic courage or poise. He just took the criticism on the chin and kept working on his art. I know you're feeling down about the loss, but just take it on the chin and practice harder tomorrow.3. To receive or suffer the full brunt of a defeat, setback, or hardship. Our boss messes around with the company's money, but we're the ones who have to take it on the chin when things go wrong. Dave has been fired before, but this was his dream job, so he really took this one on the chin.See also: chin, on, take

take it on the chin

 and take it on the nose 1. Lit. to stand up to something adverse, such as criticism. (Fig. on taking a direct punch to the head in boxing.) They laid some blunt criticism on him, but he took it on the chin. I knew he could take it on the nose. 2. Fig. to receive the full brunt of something. Why do I have to take it on the chin for something I didn't do? If you did it, you have to learn to take it on the chin.See also: chin, on, take

take something on the chin

 1. Lit. to absorb a blow on the chin. The boxer tried to duck but took the blow on the chin. 2. Fig. to experience and endure bad news or other trouble. The bad news was a real shock, but John took it on the chin. The worst luck comes my way, and I always end up taking it on the chin.See also: chin, on, take

take it on the chin

Suffer adversity or defeat, as in Paul really took it on the chin today when he got fired for missing a deadline. This idiom alludes to taking a physical blow on the chin. [First half of 1900s] See also: chin, on, take

take it on the chin

COMMON If you take it on the chin, you bravely accept criticism or a difficult situation. When the police arrived, he took it on the chin, apologising for the trouble he'd caused them. We've taken a big loss. We've taken it on the chin. But we're out there and we're going to stay in business. Note: Nouns such as criticism and defeat are sometimes used instead of it. Andrew is intelligent and wants to learn. He is also prepared to take criticism on the chin, which is a good thing. Note: This refers to someone being punched on the jaw but not falling down. See also: chin, on, take

take it on the chin

endure or accept misfortune courageously. The image here is of a boxing blow taken squarely on the chin. 1998 Times The occasional ‘bad 'un’ [i.e. decision] is inevitable, and when it comes… the players must take it on the chin. See also: chin, on, take

take something on the ˈchin

(informal) accept a difficult or an unpleasant situation without complaining, trying to make excuses, etc: Losing his job after so many years was a great shock, but he took it on the chin.See also: chin, on, something, take

take it on the chin

and take it on the nose1. tv. to stand up to something adverse, such as criticism. (Chin is more common.) They laid some rude chops on him, but he took it on the chin. 2. tv. to receive the full brunt of something. Why do I have to take it on the nose for something I didn’t do? See also: chin, on, take

take it on the chin

Slang To endure punishment, suffering, or defeat.See also: chin, on, take