fly in the face of

Idioms  

1. Also, fly in the teeth of. Act in direct opposition to or defiance of. For example, This decision flies in the face of all precedent, or They went out without permission, flying in the teeth of house rules. This metaphoric expression alludes to a physical attack. [Mid-1500s]

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Example Sentences

The pursuit of perfection flies in the face of a critical lesson sports should teach.

From The Wall Street Journal

This flies in the face of all we know about its inner workings: AI can’t think, doesn’t have a mind and, in fact, is inherently untrustworthy.

From The Wall Street Journal

This flies in the face of multiple newspaper reports in Israel in the aftermath of the attack.

From BBC

Garrett’s need for speed flies in the face of his persona.

From Los Angeles Times

It flies in the face of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, negotiated by the British and Irish governments, brokered by the U.S. and supported by the Irish people.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• abandon
• break with
• disavow
• dismiss
• disown
• forsake
• recant
• renounce
• repeal
• rescind
• retract
• reverse
• revoke
• spurn