关于起源有多种说法，包括在军队中被开除时要听鼓点声。指不得不面对由于自己的错误行为所导致的后果或批评。

• I broke the window, and now I have to face the music. ^{我打破了窗户，现在我必须去面对惩罚。}
• You can’t hide from your problems forever; you have to face the music. ^{你不能永远逃避问题，你必须面对现实。}
• He failed the test, and now he has to face the music with his parents. ^{他考试不及格，现在不得不回家听父母的教训。}