take medicine

take (one's) medicine

To accept and do what has to without complaint or protest, especially when it is unpleasant or difficult. Though he didn't agree with the two-game suspension, he took his medicine and didn't gripe about it to the media. Hopefully the election result will send a clear message to the losing party, and they'll finally take their medicine and do what's right for the country.
See also: medicine, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

take one's medicine

Fig. to accept the consequences or the bad fortune that one deserves. (Alludes to having to take unpleasant-tasting medicine.) I know I did wrong, and I know I have to take my medicine. Billy knew he was going to get spanked, and he didn't want to take his medicine.
See also: medicine, take
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • take (one's) medicine
  • take one's medicine
  • take your medicine
  • like pulling teeth
  • learn (something) the hard way
  • learn the hard way
  • get (something) over with
  • get it over with
  • find (something) out the hard way
  • come to a bad end
References in periodicals archive
Around one in ten (11%) of respondents answered yes to the question "Do you feel you need more help?" The most commonly reported areas where respondents said they needed more assistance were being reminded to take medicines, dealing with prescriptions and collection of medicines, and getting medicines out the packaging.
One in 10 stroke survivors require more help with medication
You may need to take medicine even if you feel well.
AIDS-related MAC: how to help yourself
For example, if a teen is having difficulty remembering to take medicines, ways to make it easier to remember should be tried first.
Taking notes and having someone else present during doctor visits can be of great help when learning how to take medicines. Leaving visits with a 'To Do List' of important information and helpful tips makes managing medicines at home a lot easier.
Seizures and teens: the practical aspects of managing seizure medications
* You can take medicines to prevent and to treat TB.
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