face up to (someone or something)

face up to (someone or something)

1. To deal with or tackle something that is troublesome or causes one trepidation. Just face up to your role in the situation—I'm sure Maggie will forgive you if you're honest with her. We need to face up to these financial issues if our company is going to survive. She's such a liar and will never face up to the harm she's done.

2. To confront or stand up to someone face to face. He was scared, but John faced up to the bully and told him to leave them alone. The two men faced up to one another, neither willing to back down. They've been the best team in the league this season, so we're gonna have to face up to them come playoff time.

See also: face, to, up

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

face up to

Also, face it. Confront or accept an unpleasant or difficult situation. For example, Jane had to face up to the possibility of being fired, or Face it-you were wrong. [Late 1700s] Also see face the music.

See also: face, to, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.