For many years, no one seems to have a good idea to solve the problem of inflation. Nothing is satisfactory to everybody. But during the (26) of President Ford, he offered one on national television. He used the phrase, "to bite the bullet." The words were not new, but they spread across the country. Mr. Ford called on Americans "to bite the bullet" and make personal (27) . This, he said, would help to halt inflation. He urged them to eat less, use less gasoline, to spend less and save more. He (28) them to do whatever was necessary to fight inflation, no matter how (29) . Such is the meaning of "to bite the bullet"—to do something quickly, with no further (30) , no matter how painful the action may be. But what does biting the bullet have to do with all this It is a (31) question. This is the explanation: As we all know, people (32) sometimes tighten their fists, or clench their teeth, or bite down hard on a finger. It seems to ease the pain. Years ago, on the (33) , one did not find pain-killing drugs. And it is said that during emergency operations, soldiers would bite a bullet to ease their (34) . This old phrase came back to life in the 1960s. Former president Nixon used it in 1968. He asked Congress to bite the bullet and (35) his proposal for a tax increase. For many years, no one seems to have a good idea to solve the problem of inflation. Nothing is satisfactory to everybody. But during the (26) of President Ford, he offered one on national television. He used the phrase, "to bite the bullet." The words were not new, but they spread across the country. Mr. Ford called on Americans "to bite the bullet" and make personal (27) . This, he said, would help to halt inflation. He urged them to eat less, use less gasoline, to spend less and save more. He (28) them to do whatever was necessary to fight inflation, no matter how (29) . Such is the meaning of "to bite the bullet"—to do something quickly, with no further (30) , no matter how painful the action may be. But what does biting the bullet have to do with all this It is a (31) question. This is the explanation: As we all know, people (32) sometimes tighten their fists, or clench their teeth, or bite down hard on a finger. It seems to ease the pain. Years ago, on the (33) , one did not find pain-killing drugs. And it is said that during emergency operations, soldiers would bite a bullet to ease their (34) . This old phrase came back to life in the 1960s. Former president Nixon used it in 1968. He asked Congress to bite the bullet and (35) his proposal for a tax increase.