to somebody's face

to (one's) face

To one directly, often quite literally by speaking face to face, as opposed to indirect methods. Hey, if you've got a problem with me, tell me to my face instead of complaining about me to everyone else at work.
See also: face
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

to somebody’s ˈface

(say something) openly, when speaking to somebody: Would you really call her a liar to her face? ♢ I think he’s guilty but I’d never dare say it to his face. OPPOSITE: behind somebody’s back
See also: face
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive ?
"Pick something that you would give to somebody's face or that you would want to receive with integrity," Schuit said.
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Note the following alternative, formal lexicalisations of the discussed sense 'to be bold': to be bare-FACEd, to have/to bear the FACE to do something, to push/show one's FACE, to travel upon one's FACE, to run one's FACE, to tell something to somebody's FACE.
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STUNNING news last week, as it emerged that no journalist on Fleet Street has ever said one thing to somebody's face and another behind somebody's back.
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