roll with the punches

roll with the punches (American & Australian)

to be able to deal well with difficulties or criticism. The poor woman has been jeered at and threatened with her life, but she just rolls with the punches.

See also: punch, roll

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roll with the punches

to adjust to difficult events as they happen. She had to perform shortly after her brother died, but she rolled with the punches and put on a great show.

Etymology: based on boxing, from the literal meaning roll with the punches (= step back or to one side as you are being hit), so that you do not receive the full force of the attack

See also: punch, roll