Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

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

What made you want to look up stare (someone) in the face? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games