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stare in the face

Idioms  
  1. Also, look in the face. Be glaringly obvious, although initially overlooked, as in The solution to the problem had been staring me in the face all along, or I wouldn't know a Tibetan terrier if it looked me in the face. [Late 1600s]


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.

To stare in the face of a man who ruined your life, as he now very publicly claims you're now ruining his?

From Salon • Jul. 1, 2021

I don’t know how those people do it; I don’t know how they stare in the face of this terrible, terrible, terrible tragedy and function.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2017

"Do you give up the chase like an old retiree? Or do you stare in the face of new adversaries?"

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2017

“Let’s speak quietly to each other. Let’s regroup. Let’s stare in the face of extremism and say: The strength of humanity will prevail. It has to.”

From New York Times • Jul. 3, 2015

She half-sobbed, caught her breath, and looked her adviser with a strange bewildered stare in the face.

From Lizzy Glenn or, The Trials of a Seamstress by Arthur, T. S. (Timothy Shay)

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