batten down
batten down the hatches
enharden
roll with
face up
hack it
take one's lumps
ride with the punches
whistle past the graveyard
hold it together
brace oneself for
prepare for
steel oneself for
steel oneself against
provide
take courage
run up on
take something in stride
grit one's teeth
keep one's guard up
clear the decks
misnegotiate
square one's shoulders
hack
outface
sugarcoat the pill
face the music
enter the lists
contend
hold together
ask for trouble
take the bull by the horns
feel the heat
walk a tightrope
maul
soothe
come to the scratch
bear up
fix the roof while the sun is shining
clear the air
drop someone in it
hang by a thread
stand to
rescue
look for trouble
endure
bebother
have it out
make one's bed and lie in it
encounter
ready
step to
red team
dispose of
embattle
take action
swallow a bitter pill
hang over one's head
cover
have a mountain to climb
beard the lion in his den
tackle
fan the flames
know when to fold 'em