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stare (someone) in the face

idiom

Definition of stare (someone) in the face

: to look directly into the eyes of (someone)
  • She stared me in the face and told me to leave.
—usually used figuratively for something that should be apparent
  • The solution was staring me in the face.
  • Failure was staring him in the face.
  • They stared death in the face and didn't flinch.

Word by Word Definitions

stare play

  1. : to look fixedly often with wide-open eyes

  2. : to show oneself conspicuously

  3. : to stand on end : bristle

  1. : the act or an instance of staring

See the full definition of stare
someone play

  1. : some person : somebody

See the full definition of someone
face play

  1. : the front part of the head that in humans extends from the forehead to the chin and includes the mouth, nose, cheeks, and eyes

  2. : the face as a means of identification : countenance

  3. : presence, sight

  1. : to confront impudently

  2. : to line near the edge especially with a different material

  3. : to cover the front or surface of

See the full definition of face

Seen and Heard

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