in your face

[in yoor feys]

idiom

Informal.

1. Also in-your-face

   1. seeming to express or invite confrontation; defiant, militant, or provocative.

      His political commentary is always in your face.

      Something drives him to break every rule, and to do it with a deep-down, in-your-face belligerence.

   2. displayed or advertised flagrantly, obtrusively, or forcefully.

      Everywhere you go, alcohol is in your face.

   3. (of a color, flavor, or the like) strong or vivid; bold rather than subtle.

      The brew has a huge, in-your-face hop flavor, but very little bitterness.

2. in a provocative, flagrant, or bold way.

   They’re so brazen—they do their cheating in your face, daring you to do something about it.

3. (used as an exclamation to tease someone or flaunt something in a confrontational way).

   In your face, Cougars—we won!

in-your-face

adjective

1. slang,  aggressive and confrontational

   provocative in-your-face activism

Word History and Origins

Origin of in your face¹

First recorded in 1985–90

Idioms and Phrases

Defiantly confrontational; also, an exclamation of contempt. For example, This show is not suitable for youngsters; its attitude about sex is in your face, or In your face, mister! This slangy expression originated in the 1970s in basketball as a phrase of contempt used against the opposing team and was extended to other areas by the mid-1980s.

Example Sentences

Seaham resident Dorothy Nicholson said: "It's not in your face. It's refreshing. It's fabulous."

From BBC

“First thing that jumps into my mind is, ‘In your face,’” said coach Jim Harbaugh, referring to Johnston’s critics.

From Los Angeles Times

I don’t like saying stuff like that because then it’ll just be thrown back in your face, but he was right!

From Los Angeles Times

The tour’s full band debut of “Ohio” was electric and in your face.

From Salon

"He isn't hyper and too excitable or in your face, but he's one of those guys who oozes confidence without trying," Coldwell said.

From BBC