stare (redirected from stare down)

be staring someone in the face

1. if a solution to a problem is staring you in the face, it is very obvious. We spent ages wondering how we could make more space in the shop and the answer was staring us in the face all the time.

2. if an unpleasant experience is staring you in the face, it is very likely to happen to you. With only one day's supply of water left, death was staring him in the face.

See also: face

---

stare something in the face

to deal with something directly. We have stared hatred and prejudice in the face and seen what they can do.

See also: face

stare you in the face

to be obvious. The answer to this problem was staring him in the face, although at first he couldn't see it.

See also: face