be staring (something) in the face

To be likely to experience or be affected by something, usually something unpleasant. Janet was staring death in the face for weeks—she really made a miraculous recovery. Well, we're staring foreclosure in the face now! What are we going to do? Well, how do you feel about those stupid decisions now that jail time is staring you in the face?

be staring something in the face

COMMON If you are staring a bad situation in the face, the situation is very likely to happen, or will happen soon. At 5-0 down, she was staring defeat in the face. Some of my patients are actually staring death in the face. Note: You can also say that the bad situation is staring you in the face. Failure was staring Marconi in the face.

be staring something in the face

(of a person) be on the verge of defeat, death, or ruin.