face down
Britishverb
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With the upper surface put down, as in Please put these papers face down . This usage appears to come from cardplaying. [First half of 1600s] The antonym, “with the upper surface uppermost,” is face up .
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Overcome, intimidate, or browbeat someone in a bold confrontation. This verbal expression dates from the 16th century. Shakespeare used it in The Comedy of Errors (3:1): “Here's a villain that would face me down.”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Rashid was palpably leg before and the mix-up between Baker and Atkinson that resulted in the latter face down on the turf epitomised England's collapse.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
The Fed and inflation are back in focus as investors face down an often bumpy stretch for markets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
He also announced his intention to allow Ukraine to produce anti-aircraft Patriot missiles, which are badly needed to face down Russian attacks.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
They want to use the same kind of financing that helped rebuild Eastern Europe after communism to face down Russia and China.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
Marion throws herself face down on the bed in distress.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
