say (something) to (one's) face

say (something) to (one's) face

To say something directly to one, especially when it is something critical, derogatory, inflammatory, or otherwise negative. A: "Tom's been telling people around the office that you've been slacking lately." B: "If that's the way he feels, why doesn't he come say that to my face?" I know she spreads a lot of nasty stuff about me behind my back, but she's too cowardly to say any of it to my face.

See also: face, say, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

say something (right) to someone's face

to say something (unpleasant) directly to someone. She knew I thought she was rude because I said it right to her face. I thought she felt that way about me, but I never thought she'd say it to my face.

See also: face, say, to

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