about-face on (something)

1. verb To completely reverse one's opinion, position, or course of action regarding some issue, especially very suddenly. The senator seems to have about-faced on the tax proposal, suddenly throwing his support behind the measure. Once she saw how much money the company stood to lose, the CEO about-faced on her decision. Once she saw that I'd gotten a C- on my Geometry test, Mom about-faced on her decision to let me go to the party.

2. noun A complete and typically sudden reversal of opinion or action. The senator's about-face on the tax proposal has taken many by surprise. Based on the reactions we got from test audiences, we need to do an about-face on the movie's plot. I highly doubt these new ads will make anyone do an about-face on their candidate of choice.

face (someone) with (something)

1. To show someone the evidence of something. Often used in passive constructions. If you face him with his questionable receipts, he'll have to tell you what he's really been doing on Tuesday nights. When I looked through his phone, I was faced with proof that the affair had been going on for months. Now that I've been faced with the evidence of Rich's scam, I feel like a fool to have ever trusted him.

2. To confront or deal with someone with a particular attitude, perspective, emotion, etc. Look, you know you messed up. If you face the boss with dignity and humility, she might let you off with a warning. You've got to face your opponent with determination and self-confidence. You need to face your doctor with bravery and tell him the truth—that you can't stomach going through another treatment.

See also: face

face (something) with (something)

1. To apply or attach something to the surface of something. The house was faced with blue stucco. I'm not sure why they faced the building with marble. It looks totally out of place. Why on earth did they face that house with yellow shutters? It totally clashes with the overall paint color.

2. To confront or deal with some situation with a particular attitude, perspective, emotion, etc. He knew he was in the wrong, so he faced his punishment with poise and humility. You've got to face this job interview with determination and self-confidence. I certainly did not want a cancer diagnosis, but what can I do? I have to face it with bravery and start treatment as soon as I can.

See also: face

face away

To turn one's head away from someone or something, so as to look elsewhere. I gashed my hand pretty badly last night and had to face away from all the blood. I shuddered and faced away from my poor friend's body as the coroner drew the covering back. As soon as the cat knows you're trying to clean her eyes, she'll face away from you and then run away altogether!

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

face forward

1. To look straight ahead. Please face forward so that I can buckle your seatbelt. That's it, I've had it! Everyone, face forward and no talking until we get to our field trip destination. When I caught a glimpse of my ex out of the corner of my eye, I was careful to face forward and stay that way.

2. To position someone or something so that they or it face straight ahead. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "face" and "forward." Face the kids forward so they're actually looking at the photographer. I think treats are the only thing that will get the dog to face forward and even consider going outside in the rain. When I caught a glimpse of my best-friend's ex out of the corner of my eye, I was careful to face her forward so she wouldn't notice.

face head-on

To confront or otherwise handle something directly. A noun or pronoun can be used between "face" and "head-on." I'm nervous about having to make a presentation to the entire board, but it is a challenge I will face head-on. Instead of facing it head-on, he decided to delay the project until someone else can manage it. I know I screwed up, and I know the best thing to do is face the consequences head-on.

See also: face

face into (something)

1. To turn in the direction of something. Hey, face into the wind so that the dress is blowing in this shot. I faced into the waves and inhaled the delightful salt air. Can you please face into the camera? We don't have all day to get these shots.

2. To turn someone or something toward something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "face" and "into." If your plant is wilting, why don't you try facing it into the sun? The kite finally took off once we faced it into the wind. If you turn on the hose, you know the dog is going to face into it and get all wet!

See also: face

face off

1. verb To begin a competition or contest. If you make it to the finals, you'll have to face off against their best player. The last thing I want to do is face off against my brother in the playoffs. Ugh, every time we meet, we somehow manage to face off with their best pitcher.

2. verb To initiate a competition or contest between two people. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "face" and "off." The referees will face you two off before the match begins. Hey, neither of you can move until I officially face you off, got it? We shook hands before the officials faced us off.

3. verb In certain sports (like ice hockey), to begin play by dropping the ball or puck between two opponents. Send your best center out there to face off against theirs. A: "I can't face off against that guy, he's twice my size!" B: "Yeah, but you're small and nimble. Just get possession of the puck and take off toward their goal!" It's never a great feeling when you have to face off against of one your good friends who just so happens to play for the other team.

4. noun A conflict or confrontation. The phrase is typically hyphenated when used as a noun. A: "How long were those two in a face-off before the teacher got there?" B: "Long enough for Joey to give Pete a black eye!" How many times will the candidates be in a face-off before the election? I'd really like to see them debate head-to-head more than once. There's no need to get into a face-off with Ben over supplies, OK? We have plenty of pens to go around.

5. noun In hockey, when the puck is dropped between two opposing players to begin play, either at the start of the game or after a stoppage. The phrase is typically hyphenated when used as a noun. Our center won the face-off and passed the puck up the ice. Hey, why are they moving the face-off into our defensive end? The Owls have enough time left to score the winning goal, but only if they win the face-off.

face on(to) (something)

To look out onto something. Does our room really face onto the ocean? How lovely! Look at this place—it faces onto a golf course! I'd rather have a deck than a porch that faces onto this busy street.

See also: face

face out

1. verb To address someone or something directly, often in an unpleasant situation. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "face" and "out." If you want to finally resolve the tension, you should face out your mom instead of avoiding her. A: "You might get let off with a warning if you face out the boss." B: "Yeah, it'll be worse if she hears about what happened from someone else." You've got to face out your opponent in one of these debates—you can't avoid it forever.

2. verb To be turned in a particular direction, typically so that something is visible. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "face" and "out." I want the labels on all of the bottles to face out so that people can see what their drink options are. Turn your book report around so the cover faces out, like everyone else's. Of course I want the titles to face out—how else will customers know which books we have?

3. verb To have the top or printed side turned up so that it can be seen. When you're done, please flip your test over so that the answers don't face out. Hey, don't face out the confidential information on that document! Don't worry if the X-ray results face out—it's not like anyone can read them without a machine.

4. adjective Facing in a particular direction such that the front is outwardly visible. I want all the bestsellers displayed face out on the shelves so that people immediately see their covers. Why wouldn't you display the movies face out? How else would you expect customers to know what we have in stock? I am trying to hang that ornament face out, but it keeps twisting around!

face the consequences

To experience negative repercussions for one's actions or words, especially those that one would expect to incur punishment. I told you not to try to sneak in, and now that you've been caught, you're just going to have to face the consequences. If we do nothing to curb this pollution, I guarantee we will face the consequences in the future. Now, you're going to have to face the consequences for your poor judgment—expulsion from school.

face the day

To begin the tasks that one must do in a day. I wasn't exactly thrilled about having to face the day after only getting four hours sleep. I'm not ready to face the day until I've had at least one cup of coffee. Well, it's been nice having a lazy morning, but I think it's time to face the day.

See also: face

face the music

To experience negative repercussions for one's actions or words, especially those that one would expect to incur punishment. I told you not to try to sneak in, and now that you've been caught, you're just going to have to face the music. If we do nothing to curb this pollution, I guarantee we will face the music in the future. Now, you're going to have to face the music for your poor judgment—expulsion from school.

See also: face, music

face up

1. verb To turn something so that the top or printed side can be seen. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "face" and "up." Face your projects up, and I will come around and collect them. Hey, don't face that document up—it has confidential information on it! Can you face that book up so I see the cover?

2. verb 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. She's such a liar and will never face up to the harm she's done. We need to face up to these financial issues if our company is going to survive.

3. adjective Of a person, on one's back with one's face turned upward. I just can't sleep on my stomach—I have to lie face up. You can start out face up on the table and the masseuse will be in with you shortly. You just had jaw surgery—of course you have to lie face up!

4. adjective Of an object, with the top or printed side turned up so that it is visible. Put your projects face up on your desks, and I will come around and collect them. Yep, the packet of papers face up on my desk is for you. Are you done? OK, then your test shouldn't be face up—I don't want anyone to be able to see your answers.

See also: face, up

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.

put (one) through (one's) facings

To force one to demonstrate one's skill in a particular area, usually in a grueling manner. Boy, they really put me through my facings at that job interview today—I had to give a mock lecture to a whole team of people! If my son wants a promotion, I'm going to put him through his facings so that he truly earns it.

face away (from someone or something)

to turn away from someone or something. Please face away from me while I change clothes. I'll face away. You go right ahead.

face off

1. . to begin a hockey game with two players facing one another. They faced off and the match was on.

2. to prepare for a confrontation. The opposing candidates faced off and the debate began. They faced off and I knew there was going to be a fight.

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 someone or something forward

to turn someone or something to the front. (Also with many other directions—backward, to the right, to the left, etc.) Please face your brother forward now. Face the book forward so we can read the title.

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

face something head-on

Fig. to confront a problem directly and openly. Let's face this problem head-on and try to solve it quickly and painlessly.

See also: face

face the music

Fig. to receive punishment; to accept the unpleasant results of one's actions. Mary broke a dining-room window and had to face the music when her father got home. After failing a math test, Tom had to go home and face the music.

See also: face, music

face up (to someone or something)

to confront with courage someone or something representing a threat or unpleasantness. You are simply going to have to admit your mistake and face up to the boss. You must face up to the authorities if you have done something wrong.

See also: face, up

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

face the music

Confront unpleasantness, especially the consequences of one's errors. For example, When the check bounced, he had to face the music. The precise allusion in this expression has been lost. Most authorities believe it refers to a theater's pit orchestra, which an actor must face when he faces what can be a hostile audience, but some hold it comes from the military, where a formal dismissal in disgrace would be accompanied by band music. [Second half of 1800s] Also see face up to.

See also: face, music

face up

see under face down.

See also: face, 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.

face the music

COMMON If you face the music, you accept responsibility for something that you have done wrong and you prepare yourself to be criticized or punished for it. We were foreigners in a forbidden area, the authorities had found out and we were about to face the music. Sooner or later, she'll have to face the music and it won't be pleasant. Note: The `music' in this expression may refer to the orchestra at an opera or musical. The orchestra sits in front of the stage, so when a performer faces the audience, they also face the orchestra, or `music'. Alternatively, the expression may come from an army practice in which a soldier who had been dismissed for dishonourable behaviour was sent away with drums beating.

See also: face, music

face the music

be confronted with the unpleasant consequences of your actions.

See also: face, music

face the ˈmusic

(informal) accept the difficulties, criticism and unpleasant results that your words or actions may cause: He’s been cheating us out of our money for years and now it’s time for him to face the music.

See also: face, music

face down

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

face off

1. To begin a confrontation or competition: The troublemakers had just faced off when the playground aide noticed them.

2. To begin to confront or compete with someone: Those in favor of the proposal faced off with their opponents yesterday. The incumbent faced off against the challenger in a televised debate.

3. To cause something or someone to begin a confrontation or competition with or against something or someone: The organizers faced the finalists off against each other. The organizers faced each finalist off with the other. The organizers faced these two teams off early in the competition.

4. Sports To start play in ice hockey, lacrosse, and similar games by releasing the puck or ball between two opposing players: In hockey, the teams face off at the start of each period.

face out

1. To be placed so that a front surface shows: The paintings on the wall face out.

2. To place something so that its front surface is exposed: Keep the two parts of the sign folded together while it's raining, but face them out so we can read them when the rain stops. The window dresser faced the mannequins out so that passersby could see the clothing.

3. To confront directly and engage with someone or something, often to resolve or get through a conflict or a problem: Don't be afraid of them; you should face them out and defend yourself. I faced out my fear of flying and walked on the plane.

face up

1. To position something so that its front surface is oriented upward: The designer faced the mirror up to reflect the sunlight.

2. face up to To confront an unpleasant situation; accept responsibility, blame, or a particular reality: The manager finally faced up to the problem of theft.

See also: face, up

face the music

tv. to receive the rebuke that is due one. (see also chinmusic.) You have to face the music eventually.

See also: face, music

face the music

To accept the unpleasant consequences, especially of one's own actions.

See also: face, music

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

See also: