Face the music

To face the music is an American expression from the early 19th century meaning to come to terms boldly with the consequences of one’s actions. No one knows for sure about the origin. Some say it comes from the world of theatre and has something to do with the way the conductor faces the orchestra, others maintain its origin is military from soldiers facing the possibility of being drummed out of their regiments, a practice that dates, however, from the mid-1600s. From then until the early 19th century is a long time for the expression to emerge suddenly on the scene, therefore, the orchestra/conductor theory is more probable. By the mid-19th century, the expression had made its way to Britain and elsewhere.