suck it up
/sʌk ɪt ʌp/
Meaning
This casual expression means to accept an unpleasant, difficult, or painful situation without complaining and just get on with it. In a business context, it is used when dealing with unwelcome changes, extra work, or tough feedback. It has a tough-love, direct, and sometimes slightly harsh or encouraging tone depending on the context.
Examples
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I know we have to work this weekend, but we just have to suck it up and do it.
I know we have to work this weekend, but we just have to suck it up and do it.
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The new software is terrible, but we need to suck it up until they release an update.
The new software is terrible, but we need to suck it up until they release an update.
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Instead of complaining about the budget cuts, let's just suck it up and find a solution.
Instead of complaining about the budget cuts, let's just suck it up and find a solution.
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She didn't like the feedback from the boss, but she sucked it up and made the changes.
She didn't like the feedback from the boss, but she sucked it up and made the changes.
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Sometimes in business, you just have to suck it up and deal with difficult clients.
Sometimes in business, you just have to suck it up and deal with difficult clients.
Common Mistakes
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✗ He sucked up it and finished the project.
✓ He sucked it up and finished the project.
Like many phrasal verbs with 'it', the pronoun must go between the verb 'suck' and the particle 'up'.
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✗ You should suck it up to the bad working conditions.
✓ You should suck it up and deal with the bad working conditions.
'Suck it up' is an intransitive phrasal verb phrase; you cannot directly follow it with 'to [noun]'. Use 'and deal with' or use it as a standalone phrase.
Related Expressions
Practice
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The commute is going to be longer now, but we'll just have to ___.
💡 endure the situation without complaining
Show answer
suck it up
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Instead of whining about the extra hours, he decided to ___ and get the job done.
💡 accept the hardship and work
Show answer
suck it up