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]

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Example Sentences

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

The man who moves in a rut of habitual reactions will "never think" of possibilities that "stare in the face" a less habit-ridden thinker.

From Human Traits and their Social Significance by Edman, Irwin