2006-07-24 07:05:32 · 17 answers · asked by MonyM 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Surgery used to be done without anesthetic. Soldiers were given a lead bullet to bite on as the surgeon worked on them. Bullets with teeth marks on them are sometimes found on old battlefields. So when you are doing something unpleasant, you have to "bite the bullet" and get it done.
2006-07-24 07:06:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it comes form a supposed tradition, maybe in the Civil War before decent anesthetics. When they'd have to cut off your leg or something you could bite a bullet instead of screaming from the pain. Now, bite the bullet means to just go ahead ad do something unpleasant to get it over with.
2006-07-24 07:09:12 · answer #2 · answered by Nettie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It basically means "Suck it up." Back in the day, when people had surgery or other medical procedures and they didn't have an aesthetic, the men would bite on a bullet. It's kind of like the same thing, where you hold someone's hand and squeeze really hard when you're going through something painful. Know what I mean? :) Hope I explained it well.
2006-07-24 07:09:04 · answer #3 · answered by destiny21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bite the bullet came from the civil war or american revolution, not sure which.
but they didnt have anastestia or anything that would make the pain go away while operating injured soliders, so they would give them a bullet or a piece of wood to bite on, which kind of helps, but not really.
IT MEANS SUCK IT UP AND FACE UR PROBLEM, same thing as its time to face the music.
2006-07-24 07:10:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means to just do something and get it over with. You might "bite the bullet" and go ahead and pay a big bill that you'd rather not pay.
2006-07-24 07:09:09 · answer #5 · answered by effin drunk 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think (and I really don't know) that it has to do with old wartime surgery, where there weren't any anesthetics, and they'd just give you a bullet to bit on to cope with the pain.
2006-07-24 07:08:21 · answer #6 · answered by MornGloryHM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means sometimes you have to get over something, and just be quiet and not let it bother you. Sometimes it can also mean shut up and take it like a man
2006-07-24 07:12:34 · answer #7 · answered by silverboy470 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bite The Bullet Means
2017-03-02 06:16:32 · answer #8 · answered by moffitt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it means youll get shot in the mouth or to b quiet
2006-07-24 07:13:34 · answer #9 · answered by advicemachine10000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means to take one for the team, basically.
2006-07-24 07:10:27 · answer #10 · answered by chrodo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋