grit one's teeth
The phrase "grit one's teeth" is a metaphorical expression indicating resilience and determination, often used in challenging situations.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(informal)To clench one's teeth tightly, often due to stress, anger, pain, or determination.
Example
- She gritted her teeth and started rowing with all her might.
- The doctor didn't have any anesthetic, so all I could do was grit my teeth.
B2General
(informal)To face a difficult or unpleasant situation with determination and resilience.
Example
- He had to grit his teeth and accept the criticism.
- Despite the challenges, she gritted her teeth and pushed forward.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "grit one's teeth":
bare one's teethbite the bulletbit between one's teethbite downbite backhold one's jawset someone's teeth on edgesink one's teeth intodig one's heels innose to the grindstoneget one's claws outknuckle downbite one's nailsbear down