stare in the face

stare someone in the face 

1. Go to look someone in the face.

2. [for evidence] to confront someone directly. (Fig. on stare someone in the face; look someone in the face.) Finally, the truth stared me in the face, and I had to admit to myself what had really happened. When the facts in the case stared the jury in the face, there was nothing they could do but acquit.

See also: face, stare

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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

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, stare