face up to

verb

1. to accept (an unpleasant fact, reality, etc)

Idioms and Phrases

Also, face it. Confront or accept an unpleasant or difficult situation. For example, Jane had to face up to the possibility of being fired, or Face it—you were wrong. [Late 1700s] Also see face the music.

Related Words

• accost 
• defy 
• encounter 
• meet 
• oppose 
• repel 
• resist