1
general::
Phrase(s): take it on the chin [and] take it on the nose
1. Lit. to stand up to something adverse, such as criticism. (Fig. on taking a direct punch to the head in boxing.) • They laid some blunt criticism on him, but he took it on the chin. • I knew he could take it on the nose. 2. Fig. to receive the full brunt of something. • Why do I have to take it on the chin for something I didn’t do? • If you did it, you have to learn to take it on the chin.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Suffer adversity or defeat, as in Paul really took it on the chin today when he got fired for missing a deadline. This idiom alludes to taking a physical blow on the chin. [First half of 1900s]
American Heritage Idioms