face down

British  

verb

1. to confront and force (someone or something) to back down

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face down Idioms  

1. 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 .

2. 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.”

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Example Sentences

Abby crawled under the roof and lay face down on the pine boughs.

From Literature

Some families stash their phones in another room while the movie is playing, or set them face down on a nearby desk.

From The Wall Street Journal

Marion throws herself face down on the bed in distress.

From Literature

Your gran is furious with you and has put your photos face down on her shelf.

From Literature

Coal noticed Han’s stuffed animal was face down on a chair, ignored.

From Literature

Related Words

• argue
• assail
• attack
• debate
• defy
• deny
• disagree
• dispute
• face
• fight
• prevent
• protest
• resist