There are times in life when you simply have to get on with it. The job isn’t pleasant, but it needs doing. In modern English, we call that moment biting the bullet.
But where does this curious phrase come from?
The Origin
The saying dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when battlefield surgery was a rough affair. In the days before modern anaesthetics, wounded soldiers sometimes had to endure painful operations with little more than a swig of brandy. To stop them screaming — or biting their own tongues — they were handed a bullet to clench between their teeth.
It wasn’t a perfect solution, but it gave rise to a vivid expression. To “bite the bullet” meant to accept something painful and push through it.
Into Everyday Language
By the late 19th century, the phrase had spread beyond the battlefield. It was used to describe enduring any tough task: going without comforts, taking medicine, facing danger. Rudyard Kipling used it in his 1891 novel The Light That Failed, cementing it in the English language.
Today, we use it for everything from sitting an exam to tackling a tricky conversation.
My Own “Bullet-Biting” Moments
Dentistry had its share of them. I remember early on in my career, faced with a highly anxious patient needing treatment, I had to swallow my own nerves, steady myself, and just get on with it. No shortcuts, no escape — it was a case of biting the bullet.
Sport, too, was full of them. Standing at the crease with the sun going down and a fast bowler charging in, sometimes you didn’t fancy it one bit. But there was no walking away — you had to face it, get your bat behind it, and play through.
Biting the Bullet in Online Marketing
In affiliate marketing, there are plenty of moments where this expression applies.
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Writing that first blog post when you’re convinced nobody will read it.
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Sending your first email campaign, knowing some people will unsubscribe.
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Putting money into traffic for the first time, worried about whether it will work.
Each of these moments feels uncomfortable. But each one is necessary if you want to grow.
Why it Matters
The people who succeed aren’t those who avoid tough moments. They’re the ones who accept them, prepare, and push through. Every time you bite the bullet, you move forward — in life, in business, in personal growth.
So next time you catch yourself hesitating, remember those old soldiers on the battlefield. If they could endure an operation with nothing more than a bullet to clench, you can surely hit “publish” on that blog post or commit to that new project.
Final Thought
The phrase may have grim origins, but its lesson is timeless: grit your teeth, get it done, and come out stronger.
