be staring something in the face
be staring (something) in the face
To be likely to experience or be affected by something, usually something unpleasant. Janet was staring death in the face for weeks—she really made a miraculous recovery
be staring something in the face
COMMON If you are staring a bad situation in the face, the situation is very likely to happen, or will happen soon. At 5-0 down, she was staring defeat in the face. Some of my patients are actually staring death in the face. Note: You can also say that the bad situation is staring you in the face. Failure was staring Marconi in the face.