in the teeth of

1. In opposition to or defiance of, as in She stuck to her position in the teeth of criticism by the board members . [Late 1700s] Also see fly in the face of .

2. Facing danger or threats, as in The tribe was in the teeth of starvation . [Early 1800s]

3. Straight into, confronting, as in The ship was headed in the teeth of the gale . [Late 1200s]