face down

verb

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

Idioms and Phrases

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 .

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

On top of the book lies a giant lipstick-stained wine glass, and an actor lying face down in a bubble-shaped, burgundy satin cloak — or, Drew Rollins playing the role of spilled wine.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s seen many reasons people have puffy faces in her line of work: too much salt in their diet, alcohol, allergies, even sleeping face down.

From Slate

"I will not describe what I saw when I went up the stairs or into the studio, other than seeing the coward lying face down on the floor being arrested," she said.

From BBC

Abelar, 29, had just thrown a gun from the car and was face down on the pavement when Liu opened fire at point blank range, according to body-worn-camera footage.

From Los Angeles Times

Bar Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, England's batters struggled against the movement they can expect to face down under.

From BBC

Related Words

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