To face the situation boldly.
1835. I never opposed Andrew Jackson for the sake of popularity. I knew it was a hard row to hoe; but I stood up to the rack, considering it a duty I owed to the country that governed me.—‘Col. Crockett’s Tour,’ p. 69 (Phila.).
1835. I had hard work; but I stood up to the rack, fodder or no fodder.—Id., p. 137.
1843. The democratic party would stand up to the rack, fodder or no fodder.—Mr. Gordon of N.Y., House of Repr., Jan. 5: Cong. Globe, p. 125.
1854. My clients … are bunkum yet—allers stands up to the rack at the end of an execution.—H. H. Riley, ‘Puddleford,’ p. 157 (N.Y.).
