face down

face down

1. verb To confront or intimidate someone until they relent. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "face" and "down." I'm so impressed that that scrawny little kid faced the bully down! They've been the best team in the league this season, so we're gonna have to face them down come playoff time. The captain of the football team faced me down because he didn't like my tendency to flirt with his girlfriend.

2. verb To turn something so that the top or printed side cannot be seen. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "face" and "down. Be sure to face your tests down when you're done. Hey, face down those pictures—I don't want the kids to see them yet. I quickly faced down the confidential documents when my co-worker stepped into my office.

3. adjective Of a person, lying on one's stomach with one's face literally turned downward. Just lie face down on the table and the masseuse will be in with you shortly. I can't sleep face down like that. I'm a back sleeper usually. I tripped and ended up face down on the sidewalk.

4. adjective Of an object, with the top or printed side turned down so that it cannot be seen. Put your test face down on the desk when you're done. Because I had written my password on that sheet, I was quick to turn it face down. My baby pictures are embarrassing—just let me keep them face down, OK?

See also: down, face

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

face someone down

to make a face-to-face stand with someone who eventually backs down. Chuck succeeded in facing Tom down. Facing down Tom wasn't difficult for Chuck.

See also: down, face

face something down

to turn something face downward. Ted drew a card and faced it down. Face your cards down when you leave the card table.

See also: down, face

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

face down

1. With the upper surface put down, as in Please put these papers face down. This usage appears to come from cardplaying. [First half of 1600s] The antonym, "with the upper surface uppermost," is face up.

2. Overcome, intimidate, or browbeat someone in a bold confrontation. This verbal expression dates from the 16th century. Shakespeare used it in The Comedy of Errors (3:1): "Here's a villain that would face me down."

See also: down, face

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.

ˌface ˈup/ˈdown

1 (of a person) with your face and stomach facing upwards/downwards: She lay face down on the bed.
2 (of a playing card) with the number or picture facing upwards/downwards: Place the card face up on the pile.

See also: down, face, up

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

face down

v.

1. To confront someone in a resolute or determined manner: The incumbent faced down the opponent in a debate. The soldiers faced the enemy down.

2. To position something so that its front surface is oriented downward: I faced the picture down so that I wouldn't be reminded of my dead parents.

See also: down, face

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.