take it on the chin

phrase

1

US : to be badly damaged or affected by something : to be hit hard by something

The company took it on the chin as a symbol of the system in the Sixties. When it was accused of racism, sexism, anti-environmentalism, it reacted defensively, exacerbating the situation.

—Andrew E. Serwer

2

chiefly British : to accept something difficult or unpleasant without complaining

… if their comments come with some criticism then ministers—and the advisers on whom they rely—must be big enough to take it on the chin.

—The Western Mail

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for take it on the chin

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin