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.
Jack Campbell was lying face down and motionless on the field after tackling Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
Campbell, a fourth-year player who made his first Pro Bowl last season, was lying face down and motionless on the field after tackling Vikings tight end T.J.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
He was able to face down the demands from his Upper Bann MP safe in the knowledge he had the numbers on his side.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
At his debut press conference, he vowed to face down "multitudinous minefields and 30,000-metre abysses" in reforming China.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
But I couldn’t help but imagine old Calvin’s face down among the rocks on the outer edge.
From "Worth" by A. LaFaye
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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.
