grit (one's) teeth
1. To clench one's teeth, as from anger, pain, or displeasure. The doctor didn't have any anesthetic, so all I could do was grit my teeth while he stitched the wound in my leg. He narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth after overhearing the insults from the man behind him. Of course I was in pain, but all I could do was grit my teeth and wait for the paramedics to get there!
2. To become resolved to do or accept something particularly difficult or unpleasant. If you hate this class so much, you better grit your teeth and get a passing grade so that you don’t have to take it again next year. The senators put aside their differences, gritted their teeth, and worked together to solve the crisis. I know a lot of things have gone wrong and this no longer resembles the event you hoped to have, but you need to grit your teeth and get through it nonetheless
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
grit your teeth
COMMON If you grit your teeth, you continue to do something or accept a situation even if it is difficult or unpleasant. There is going to be hardship, but we have to grit our teeth and get on with it. There were five games in nine days, but the players gritted their teeth and kept going.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
grit your teeth
make a great effort to keep your resolve when faced with an unpleasant or painful duty. 2001 Flower and Garden Magazine Mini rose canes should also be pruned to half their length. This can be traumatic for the rosarian, especially if your plant is already in bloom or has lots of buds. But just grit your teeth and do it—your plant will be healthier and happier, and it will produce lots more flowers than it would without this initial pruning.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
grit your ˈteeth
be determined to continue to do something in a difficult or an unpleasant situation: When I was a boy, I was forced to have a cold shower every morning. I hated it but I just had to grit my teeth and do it. ♢ She shouted at me but I just gritted my teeth and said nothing.The basic meaning of grit your teeth is to bite your teeth tightly together.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017