2face verb
fac·es; faced; fac·ing 1 a : to stand or sit with your face and body turned toward (something or someone) [+ obj] ▪ The teacher faced the class. ▪ She turned around to face the window. ▪ He sat facing the wall. [no obj] ▪ Turn and face to the east.
b : to have the front part toward (something) [+ obj] ▪ The house faces the park. ▪ The living room faces the afternoon sun. [no obj] ▪ My shoe was lying in the corner with its sole facing upward. ▪ The flower opens facing skyward.
c : to be on the page that is opposite to (another page) [+ obj] ▪ Look at the illustration that faces page 132. = Look at the illustration facing page 132. [no obj] ▪ Look at the illustration on the facing page. 2 [+ obj] a : to deal with (something bad or unpleasant) in a direct way
▪ Only by facing your problems can you hope to overcome them. ▪ You must stand and face the danger. ▪ He'll have to face the consequences of his decision.
b : to admit that (something) is true or real
▪ It was time to face the truth. ▪ We have to face the possibility that the economy will get worse before it gets better. ▪ We have to face reality. 3 [+ obj] a : to have (something bad or unpleasant) as a problem or possibility : to be confronted by (something)
▪ This is not the first time she has faced adversity. ▪ Because of the drought, thousands of people are now facing starvation. ▪ He finds himself facing criminal charges for his role in the conspiracy. ▪ She faced a difficult choice. [=she had to make a difficult choice]
b : to be a problem for (someone) : to require the attention of (someone)
▪ There were many important questions facing them. ▪ We can't ignore the problems that face us.
c : to force (someone) to see and deal with something in a direct way
▪ He couldn't deny his involvement when the police faced [=confronted] him with the evidence. — usually used as (be) faced ▪ He was faced with the evidence. ▪ We are faced with two unpleasant options. ▪ We can't ignore the problems that we are faced with. 4 [+ obj] a : to meet with (someone) despite shame, fear, or embarrassment
▪ I don't know if I can face him again after treating him so badly.
b : to meet (someone) in a competition : to compete or fight against (someone)
▪ The team has to face a tough opponent in its next game. ▪ It was the first time that these two fighters had faced each other in the ring. ▪ The pitcher struck out the first three batters he faced. 5 [+ obj] : to cover the front or the surface of (something)
▪ They faced the building with marble. ▪ a chimney faced with red brick ▪ a brick-faced chimney
b : to have the front part toward (something) [+ obj] ▪ The house faces the park. ▪ The living room faces the afternoon sun. [no obj] ▪ My shoe was lying in the corner with its sole facing upward. ▪ The flower opens facing skyward.
c : to be on the page that is opposite to (another page) [+ obj] ▪ Look at the illustration that faces page 132. = Look at the illustration facing page 132. [no obj] ▪ Look at the illustration on the facing page.
▪ Only by facing your problems can you hope to overcome them. ▪ You must stand and face the danger. ▪ He'll have to face the consequences of his decision.
b : to admit that (something) is true or real
▪ It was time to face the truth. ▪ We have to face the possibility that the economy will get worse before it gets better. ▪ We have to face reality.
▪ This is not the first time she has faced adversity. ▪ Because of the drought, thousands of people are now facing starvation. ▪ He finds himself facing criminal charges for his role in the conspiracy. ▪ She faced a difficult choice. [=she had to make a difficult choice]
b : to be a problem for (someone) : to require the attention of (someone)
▪ There were many important questions facing them. ▪ We can't ignore the problems that face us.
c : to force (someone) to see and deal with something in a direct way
▪ He couldn't deny his involvement when the police faced [=confronted] him with the evidence. — usually used as (be) faced ▪ He was faced with the evidence. ▪ We are faced with two unpleasant options. ▪ We can't ignore the problems that we are faced with.
▪ I don't know if I can face him again after treating him so badly.
b : to meet (someone) in a competition : to compete or fight against (someone)
▪ The team has to face a tough opponent in its next game. ▪ It was the first time that these two fighters had faced each other in the ring. ▪ The pitcher struck out the first three batters he faced.
▪ They faced the building with marble. ▪ a chimney faced with red brick ▪ a brick-faced chimney
face facts or face the fact(s)
: to admit that something is true
▪ The time has come to face the fact that the government's policies aren't working. ▪ The time has come to face the facts and admit that the government's policies aren't working. ▪ Let's face facts—our plan isn't working.
▪ The time has come to face the fact that the government's policies aren't working. ▪ The time has come to face the facts and admit that the government's policies aren't working. ▪ Let's face facts—our plan isn't working.
face off
[phrasal verb] chiefly US : to be involved or become involved in a conflict, dispute, or competition
▪ The protesters were facing off with/against the police. ▪ They faced off in a nationally televised debate. ▪ two teams that faced off in the play-offs last year — see also face-off
▪ The protesters were facing off with/against the police. ▪ They faced off in a nationally televised debate. ▪ two teams that faced off in the play-offs last year — see also face-off
face the music
: to accept and deal with the unpleasant result of something you have said or done
▪ He knows that he'll be criticized for making a bad decision, and he's ready to face the music.
▪ He knows that he'll be criticized for making a bad decision, and he's ready to face the music.
face up to [phrasal verb]
face up to (something) : to deal with (something bad or unpleasant) in a direct way
▪ She has to face up to [=face] her problems now, or else they'll only get worse. ▪ We need to face up to our fears.
▪ She has to face up to [=face] her problems now, or else they'll only get worse. ▪ We need to face up to our fears.
(let's) face it
— used to say that something is true and cannot be denied ▪ Face it, a lot of people don't even bother to vote. ▪ Let's face it, most of us don't get enough exercise.
