in the face of
Idioms-
Despite the opposition of, notwithstanding, as in In the face of published statistics, they insist there is no flu epidemic . [Early 1800s] Also see fly in the face of .
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When confronted with, as in It is hard for brokers to be cheerful in the face of a falling stock market . [Late 1800s]
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.
Virgil van Dijk: Usual unruffled self in the face of some frantic Ipswich Town attacking.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
The British leader has committed to maintaining Britain's long-standing support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, making Kyiv his first overseas trip last month.
From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026
And who better to teach a down-and-out lawyer about courage and gumption than a coyote who has persevered in the face of certain failure?
From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026
“They listened. And in the face of extraordinary pressure from some of the most powerful interests in our state, they centered on survivors and California families.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026
A crazy idea in the face of death?
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
