If you’ve ever been told to “bite the bullet,” you probably weren’t being offered ammunition. More likely, someone was encouraging you to brace yourself and get on with something unpleasant.
But have you ever wondered where the phrase comes from?
Let’s explore the story — and see why it still matters in everyday life… and online business.
The Gruesome Origins
The most widely accepted origin of “bite the bullet” comes from the battlefields of the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly before effective anaesthesia was in common use.
Picture this:
A soldier lies wounded on a makeshift table. A bullet lodged in his leg. Surgery is necessary. There’s no morphine. No anaesthetic. Nothing but a bottle of rum and something to clench between his teeth.
That something?
A bullet.
Doctors gave soldiers bullets to bite down on — not just to muffle screams, but to keep them conscious and prevent tongue injuries during brutal surgery. Teeth sank into lead while blades sliced into flesh.
So when someone says “bite the bullet,” they’re referencing the idea of enduring pain with courage — of facing up to something you’d rather avoid.
A More Modern Twist
By the 20th century, the phrase became metaphorical. It popped up in literature, journalism, and military lingo. Rudyard Kipling used it in his 1891 novel The Light That Failed, which helped push it into wider use:
“He knew his fate. He had to bite the bullet.”
Today, it’s a common phrase for doing the hard thing:
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Getting up early to train in the rain
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Having an awkward conversation
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Pressing ‘Send’ on that first email broadcast
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Cancelling that monthly subscription you never use
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Learning the tech skills you’ve always avoided
The meaning has shifted from physical pain to mental or emotional effort — but the heart of the phrase remains the same.
Why It Resonates with Me
I remember a time in my career — long before affiliate marketing — when I had to “bite the bullet.”
I’d taken on a role in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at a major hospital. It meant uprooting my family, adjusting to a different culture, climate, and way of working. The first few weeks were disorienting. New systems, new team, new rules.
But I bit the bullet.
Within a month, I’d adapted — and it led to some of the most rewarding years of my professional life.
I’ve had to do the same in this online business world. Taking on new tools. Learning platforms. Writing content. Launching offers. Running websites.
None of it’s as painful as battlefield surgery — but it often feels just as daunting.
And yet, those who bite the bullet, win. They move forward while others dither.
When You Should Bite the Bullet
Here are five moments where biting the bullet pays off:
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Starting your email list – Stop overthinking. Just create an opt-in and go.
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Publishing your first blog post – It won’t be perfect. It doesn’t need to be.
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Choosing one product to promote – Instead of chasing dozens.
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Asking for help – Join a group. Hire a coach. Ask a question.
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Decluttering your digital life – Unsubscribe, unsubscribe, unsubscribe.
Online success isn’t about brilliance. It’s about action.
Final Thought
When you next hesitate, ask yourself:
“Is this a bullet I just need to bite?”
Chances are, the answer is yes.
