stare in the face
Related to stare in the face: pay a visit, in the wrong, stop short of, worse for wear
stare (someone or something) in the face
1. Literally, to make direct and uninterrupted eye contact with someone. She just walked up to the boss, stared him in the face, and asked for a raise! I could never do that!
2. To confront a situation or issue directly. The suffragettes stared injustice in the face and won the right to vote.
See also: face, stare
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
stare someone in the face
1. Go to look someone in the face.
2. [for evidence] to confront someone directly. (Fig. on stare someone in the face; look someone in the face.) Finally, the truth stared me in the face, and I had to admit to myself what had really happened. When the facts in the case stared the jury in the face, there was nothing they could do but acquit.
See also: face, stare
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
stare in the face
Also, look in the face. Be glaringly obvious, although initially overlooked, as in The solution to the problem had been staring me in the face all along, or I wouldn't know a Tibetan terrier if it looked me in the face. [Late 1600s]
See also: face, stare
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
stare in the face
1. To be plainly visible or obvious to (one); force itself on (one's) attention: The money on the table was staring her in the face.
2. To be obvious to (one) though initially overlooked: The explanation had been staring him in the face all along.
3. To be imminent or unavoidable to (one): Bankruptcy now stares us in the face.
4. To be about to experience or undergo (something dire): We are staring bankruptcy in the face.
See also: face, stare
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- stare (someone or something) in the face
- stare something in the face
- stare down
- stare into
- stare into (something)
- stare at
- stare at (someone or something)
- literally
- be at peace
- a non-denial denial