a face (that) only a mother could love

a face (that) only a mother could love

A face that is strikingly or shockingly unattractive. His physique was remarkable, but unfortunately he was cursed with a face that only a mother could love. She is extraordinarily bright, but she has a face only a mother could love. A: "Wow, look at the ugly mug on that dude!" B: "Now there's a face only a mother could love!"

See also: could, face, love, mother

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

face (that) only a mother could love

 and face that could Stop a clock

Fig. a very ugly face. (Usually jocular. See also homely enough to stop a clock.) The poor baby has a face only a mother could love. Look at that guy. That's a face that could stop a clock.

See also: could, face, love, mother

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