Meaning of take one's lumps | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To receive physical abuse and to survive.
   slang
2. To endure through criticism or other adversity.
   figuratively, slang

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."”

“1987, David Fellman, "A Renowned Civil Libertarian," (review⟳ of Zechariah Chafee, Jr.: Defender of Liberty and Law by Donald L. Smith), The Review⟳ of Politics, vol. 49, no. 3, p. 444, As is the case with so many outspoken civil libertarians, Chafee took his lumps. He was strongly criticized by several Harvard Law School graduates.”

CEFR level