not have the face

not have the face (to do something)

old-fashioned To lack the courage or conviction (to do something). I really liked him, but I didn't have the face to ask for his number. Our politicians don't have the face to stand up to big lobbies and corporations when they're writing laws.
See also: face, have, not
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

not have the face

BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONED
If you don't have the face to do something, you are too nervous or embarrassed to do it. You wouldn't lend me a couple of quid, would you? I haven't the face to borrow off Michael.
See also: face, have, not
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • not have the face (to do something)
  • get out of (one's) face
  • get out of face
  • get out of one's face
  • get out of someone's face
  • get out of my face
  • Get out of my face!
  • get face
  • (one's) face is like thunder
  • his, her, etc. face is like thunder