take one's lumps
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To receive physical abuse and to survive.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
When frustrated tacklers finally do catch up with him, Arnett knows how to take his lumps. "If I hit the ground tensely, rigidly, and two tons of angry linemen landed on top of me, they'd break every bone in my body."
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To endure through criticism or other adversity.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “take one's lumps” mean?
To receive physical abuse and to survive.
Is “take one's lumps” formal or informal?
take one's lumps is generally slang.