Face the music 

1. To come forward; to admit one's own wrongdoings
2. To face reality; to give up on delusions or hopeless dreams

1. Come out and face the music, Jim. I know you've been stealing my pizza from the fridge.

2. I wish I could be a billionaire, too, but we've all got to face the music, sometimes.

Face the music by ShAdOwZ January 30, 2010

face the music 

Dates back to 1850, but the exact origin is unknown. One theory is that it comes from the theater world, where musicians were in a pit in front of the stage, so "to face the music" was to turn towards the audience. Another theory says it comes from a Civil War military ceremony where an officer that is about to be cashiered is literally drummed out.

Come out and face the music. I know what you've been doing to my socks.

face the music by papermachete December 28, 2005

Face the Music 

To accept criticism, consequence, or punishment for a wrongdoing. Usually done right before or after an apology.

C'mon man, grow some balls and face the music!

Face the Music by Silver-Serval July 6, 2011

face the music 

to receive the rebuke that one is due for

Everyone who does something contoversial has to face the music eventually.

face the music by Light Joker October 27, 2006

face the music 

In addition to the "standard" definition of someone's coming forward and submitting to others' wrath over some stupid blunder/selfish misbehavior that he has committed, this term can also refer to the guilty individual's sentence being that he is obliged to listen to one or more horridly-performed vocal/instrumental selections, or to endure a period of a music-type that he abhors, such as if he only likes crash 'n' bash hard-rock/heavy-metal, but is forced to endure an hour of opera or chamber music.

excerpt from an old late-'90's Reader's Digest article that humorously speaks about how many teenagers absolutely loathe hearing their "musically impaired" parents sing anything, and thus how forcing them to listen to said ear-grating vocalizing would be a far more effective punishment/crime-deterrent than any currently-employed methods, such as fines or jail: Judge, gravely: Young man, this is the third time you've come before me in this courtroom. This is a very serious situation.
Juvenile delinquent, sullenly: Yeah, whatever.
Judge: Your previously-lenient punishment does not seem to be working. Your behavior has not improved at all, and so I am going to have to give you the very stiffest sentence possible in this case --- you're really going to have to "face the music" now.
Juvenile delinquent, shrugging with a devil-may-care attitude: Yeah, what else is new?? So what's it gonna be --- more JAIL TIME?!?!?
Judge: No --- jail is too good for you. I'm gonna have your mom come up here and sing "America the Beautiful" on the court karaoke.
Juvenile delinquent, widening his eyes in horror: Oh, NO, Sir --- please --- anything but that, Sir! Send me back to jail --- make me do community service --- anything else --- just not THAT, Sir!

face the music by QuacksO July 14, 2016

Face the Music 

When you are in charge of a playlist for a large group and an extremely embarrassing or terrible song comes on the mix, making you the subject of scorn.

"Matt set a dope 90's playlist in the office today, but ran to a meeting just before "My Heart Will Go On" came on, so he didn't even have to face the music."

Face the Music by Eo July 17, 2014