Probably many have heard the expression "bite the bullet." Someone received advice in a difficult situation, they tried to calm or console someone. In addition, there are certain conditions when a person literally clenches his jaw - this is, for example, a state of stress or even illness. What do these words really mean? Let's start with dictionaries.
What the dictionaries say
There is no interpretation of this expression in Dahl's dictionary, but there is a reference to it in the explanation of the concept of "squeeze". The author of the dictionary believes that one can grit one's teeth in anger. Also, Ozhegov's dictionary gives an example with the word "squeeze", explaining the expression as "keep silent, endure."
The dictionary of synonyms defines the expression as "to force oneself to restrain oneself". The phraseological dictionary adds that in the literary language this expression is considered colloquial and expresses expression. A person can use it while holding back the feeling of protest.
Dictionary of many expressions interprets it as "to show restraint". The Michelson Dictionary considers the expression to be allegorical, used in cases of describing anger or rage.
In books
It seems that dictionaries do not give any specific meaning of the phraseologism “bite the teeth”. In that case, it's worthturn to literature. Here is how writers use this expression:
- But, gritting your teeth, you make your way forward (P. Molitvin).
- "What do you want?", he said to him, gritting his teeth (A. Pushkin).
- Taking breath through convulsively clenched teeth (Markevich).
- Clench your teeth to give stronger change (V. Pichugin).
What other languages have this expression
Similar expressions are found in German and English. In German, the expression die Zähne beißen literally translates as "bite one's teeth." It is used by E. M. Remarque. Germans can also say: Ich biß die Zähne zusammen. It literally means "I bit my teeth together."
The English language also has this idiom. J. Rolling, for example, in the Harry Potter series of books uses the expression to gritted his teeth ("rub his teeth") like this: Harry gritted his teeth and nodded ("Harry clenched his teeth and nodded").
But there is an even more ancient expression Bite a bullet, which literally translates as "bite a bullet." Interestingly, this idiom was at first a literal description of a procedure used instead of anesthesia. The fact is that in the 1700s, during an emergency operation on the battlefield, soldiers were given a bullet in their mouths to distract them from pain. The man did not scream and distract so much: in order not to swallow the bullet, it was necessary to control its position in the mouth.
Over time, the expression "bite the bullet" has become allegorical and now means "doing something unpleasant, uncomfortable." It could bemaking a tough decision, driving an old car, passing an unpopular law for the sake of the future.
In French, there is the same expression (mordre la balle), literally meaning "to bite the ball." In Italian, there is stringere i denti, which translates as "to tighten the teeth."
Nature of phraseologism
When a patient comes to the doctor's office and says: "I'm clenching my teeth hard" - this indicates a certain symptom. In medicine, the following clenching of the jaws is distinguished:
- As a reaction to an event (anger, fear, physical stress).
- Involuntary grinding of teeth (bursism).
Apparently, observing the behavior of people in various situations gave rise to this expression. Interestingly, the Scriptures mention "weeping and gnashing of teeth" as a reaction of people to punishment.
The life of modern people is characterized by a fast rhythm, heavy workload, all sorts of problems and stress. New diseases have appeared, caused by the functioning of the body at the limit of its capabilities. One of them is bursism. This is an unconscious strong compression of the jaws, often in a dream, leading to the pathology of the oral cavity and masticatory apparatus. Doctors unanimously name the reason - the inability to relax and rest, to cope with negative emotions.
When a person wants to bite the bullet
At high loads, the mechanism of jaw compression works in the body. In this case, the tension is concentrated in the masticatory muscle. It increases in volume if a personthreatened, and is the strongest. The average person develops an effort of up to 72 kg, the Guinness book record is about 400 kg.
Athletes are well aware of this phenomenon. They learn to relax the masticatory muscles during periods of great physical exertion. This allows you to free the spine and directs energy in the right direction. This action requires great concentration. People who do not play sports are advised not to imitate athletes, as this makes it difficult to evacuate stress. This can lead to stomach ulcers. Sedatives, leading to muscle relaxation, drooping of the lower jaw, block the release of tension. Thus, the way out of stress by the body's forces is disrupted.
As you can see, it's okay to bite the bullet in certain situations. This is how tug-of-war players act, for example.
When is this expression used
There are several situations in life when it would be appropriate to use the idiom "bite the bullet":
- When you need to endure something: physical or emotional pain, an unpleasant neighborhood or a period of time. When for the sake of the future good you need to endure the hardships of the present day.
- When you need to control your temper so as not to say too much.
- When you have to do unpleasant or dangerous work.
- When you need to show courage.
All of these situations fit the meaning of "bite the bullet". But there are cases when this is no longer a figurative phrase, but a direct threat to he alth. Facial expressionwith clenched teeth - a sign of severe pain. Often these are heart problems. In such cases, emergency medical attention is required.
Summarize
It turns out that this expression is a consequence of observations of human behavior in various situations. It is not invented artificially and is not the creation of the writer. It turns out that it was born by the body's natural defense mechanisms in stressful situations. How can you not remember similar catch phrases:
- The hamstrings are shaking.
- Fly with happiness.
- Heart jumps out of chest.
- Petrified by surprise.
- Head hair moving.
- Goosebumps.
- The soul is gone.
Without these figurative expressions, there would be no bright, original language. People are not robots. They express their creativity in speech. And whoever experienced something like this at least once will definitely tell about it.
