rip off the bandage verb1 •(informal) To deal with a difficult situation by sudden difficult action.If I look at just the facts, grit my teeth, and rip off the bandage, I know I'm adult enough to return to Chicago, to my desk, search for an apartment, and buy a car. But it is not what I crave. — 2021 formsripped off the bandage · ripping off the bandage · rips off the bandage