English Profile

face · noun

/feɪs/Full view

face

A1 C the front part of the head, where the eyes, nose and mouth are, or the expression on this part

Dictionary examples:

She's got a long, thin face.

She had a worried expression on her face.

Learner example:

She has got brown [e]yes, [a] round face and wh[ite] s[k]in. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Urdu)

make a face ()

B1 to show with your face that you do not like someone or something

Dictionary example:

Joe made a face when he saw what was for lunch.

Learner example:

Making a face, I slapped my forehead. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Assamese)

at face value

C1 If you accept something at face value because of the way it first looks or seems, you do so without thinking carefully about it.

Dictionary examples:

You can't just accept everything you read in the newspapers at face value.

These results should not be taken at face value - careful analysis is required to assess their full implications.

Learner example:

People are assessed at face value [by] the type of cars they drive. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Amharic)

lose face

C2 to become less respected by others because of something you did

Dictionary example:

She had to find a way to accept defeat without losing face.

Learner example:

However, many popular people like Pierce Brosnan managed to keep their lives out of the press and yet be present to meet public demand without losing face. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

keep a straight face

C2 to manage to stop yourself from smiling or laughing

Dictionary example:

I can never play jokes on people because I can't keep a straight face.

on the face of it

C2 used when you are describing how a situation seems on the surface

Dictionary example:

On the face of it, this seems like a bargain, but I bet there are hidden costs.

Learner example:

On the face of it, both sides have valid arguments, and it's a difficult balancing act to manage. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Urdu)

in the face of sth

C2 while having to deal with a difficult situation or problem

Dictionary example:

They left home in the face of strong opposition from their families.

Learner example:

No doubt, it was rather difficult to like Enid X. She was hardly likely to arouse sympathy in anybody even in the face of death. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)

fly in the face of

C2 to be the opposite of what is usual or accepted

Dictionary example:

These recommendations fly in the face of previous advice on safe limits of consumption.

Learner example:

But when we have a look outside our wonderful world, we can easily see that this argument flies in the face of the facts. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

a slap in the face

C2 something someone does that insults or upsets you

Dictionary example:

After all that hard work, losing my job was a real slap in the face.

Learner example:

My father noticed that and decided it was high time to take me down a peg or two. He used to work as a volunteer in [a] hospital for children dying for cancer. One day, he took me there. It was like a slap in the face - suddenly I saw a different world. It was a bleak world, without smiles and happy faces. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

face · verb

/feɪs/

face (DIRECTION)

B1 I or T to be or turn in a particular direction

Dictionary examples:

Our house faces north/south/east/west.

She turned to face him.

The café faces (towards) the sea.

Learner example:

There is a desk [to] the right of the room which faces my bed. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Turkish)

face (PROBLEM)

B2 T If you face a problem, or a problem faces you, you have to deal with it.

Dictionary examples:

This is one of the many problems faced by working mothers.

Passengers could face long delays.

You're faced with a very difficult choice there.

Learner example:

Grandparents are experienced people and they can help their child[ren] to avoid a lot of problems which they have faced. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

can't face sb/sth/doing sth ()

B2 to not want to do something or deal with someone, often because it is difficult or unpleasant

Dictionary examples:

I can't face walking up all those steps again.

I knew someone had to tell her but I couldn't face it.

How can I face him now that he knows what I've done?

Learner example:

Everybody at [the] swimming pool was laughing about me. I couldn't face my family. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

face (ACCEPT)

B2 T to accept that something unpleasant is true and start to deal with the situation

Dictionary examples:

I think Phil has to face the fact that she no longer loves him.

We have to face facts here - we simply don't have enough money.

He's dying but he refuses to face the truth.

Learner example:

But Mary has a strong personality, she faces the facts. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

face the music

C1 to accept punishment or criticism for something bad that you have done

Dictionary example:

If she doesn't have a good reason for being late, she'll just have to face the music.

Learner example:

Teenagers who live with their parents have to face the music about the long bills their parents receive monthly! (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

let's face it

C2 something that you say before you say something that is unpleasant but true

Dictionary example:

Let's face it, none of us are getting any younger.

Learner example:

Let's face it, a life with [no] physical and mental exercise is something none of us relishes. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

face up to sth

B2 to accept that a difficult situation exists

Dictionary example:

Eventually, he faced up to his money problems.

Learner example:

However, she had to face up to the fact that it was her duty to question the serial killer, to find out what his motives were. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)