Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

take one's medicine

idiom

Definition of take one's medicine

informal
: to accept something that is unpleasant because it is necessary and cannot be avoided
  • If he loses the case, he should just take his medicine and stop complaining.

Word by Word Definitions

take play

  1. : to get into one's hands or into one's possession, power, or control: such as

  2. : to seize or capture physically

  3. : to get possession of (fish or game) by killing or capturing

  1. : a distinct or personal point of view, outlook, or assessment

  2. : an act or the action of taking: such as

  3. : the uninterrupted photographing or televising of a scene

See the full definition of take
medicine play

  1. : a substance or preparation used in treating disease

  2. : something that affects well-being

  3. : the science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease

See the full definition of medicine

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up take one's medicine? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games