Usage Note
Atener is almost always reflexive: atenerse a means 'to abide by' rules, consequences, or facts. The phrase atenerse a las consecuencias ('to face the consequences') is a set expression. It conjugates like tener (irregular: me atengo, te atienes, etc.) and is formal in register.
Examples
"Tienes que atenerte a las reglas."
Natural Translation
You have to abide by the rules.
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