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stare in the face

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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

stare you in the face

to be obvious The answer to this problem was staring him in the face, although at first he couldn't see it.

See also: face, stare

stare something in the face

to deal with something directly We have stared hatred and prejudice in the face and seen what they can do.

See also: face, stare

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

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