face 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.
See also: could, face, love, mother
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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.
See also:
  • a face (that) only a mother could love
  • face (that) would stop a clock
  • get out of one's face
  • get out of (one's) face
  • get out of face
  • get face
  • get out of someone's face
  • get out of my face
  • Get out of my face!
  • (one's) face is like thunder