face the music

1. To accept unpleasant consequences: “After several years of cheating his employer, the embezzler finally had to face the music.”

Idioms and Phrases

Confront unpleasantness, especially the consequences of one's errors. For example, When the check bounced, he had to face the music . The precise allusion in this expression has been lost. Most authorities believe it refers to a theater's pit orchestra, which an actor must face when he faces what can be a hostile audience, but some hold it comes from the military, where a formal dismissal in disgrace would be accompanied by band music. [Second half of 1800s] Also see face up to .

Example Sentences

Prosecutors said Mr Smith was set to finally "face the music" following their investigation, which also involved the FBI.

From BBC

And if you think Trump at least faced the music in his New York civil fraud case with Justice Arthur Engoron’s ruling ordering Trump to pay $355 million in penalties, think again.

From Salon

But Swift’s success belies the troubles facing the music industry, which has announced layoffs and become embroiled in fights with tech companies.

From New York Times

A Los Angeles radio host wants 50 Cent to face the music, alleging in a lawsuit filed Thursday that the “Candy Shop” rapper chucked a microphone at her head during a concert in August.

From Los Angeles Times

It's fun watching such bad guys face the music, but there is one thing all these cases are lacking, if one craves a satisfying tale of crime and punishment: Sympathetic victims.

From Salon