on the face of it Definition

face
noun

1. The front part of the head, from forehead to chin.
2. The features or facial expression.

Thesaurus: countenance, visage, expression,mug slang), puss slang), features, image, look, physiognomy, appearance, front.
3. A surface or side, eg of a mountain, gem, geometrical figure, etc.

Thesaurus: surface, front, finish, façade, outside, exterior.
4. The important or working side, eg of a golf-club head.
5a. In a mine or quarry: the exposed surface from which coal, etc is mined;
5b. On a cliff: the exposed surface, usually vertical;


Example: coalface
Example: cliff-face
6. The dial of a clock, watch, etc.
7. The side of a playing card that is marked with numbers, symbols, etc.
8. General look or appearance.

Example: The face of the landscape remains the same
9. An aspect.
10. Impudence; cheek.
11. literary
Someone's presence.
Example: stand before his face
12. printing.
A typeface.

verb faced, facing

tr & intr
1. To be opposite to something or someone; to turn to look at or look in some direction.
2. To have something unpleasant before one.

Example: face ruin
3. To confront, brave or cope with (problems, difficulties, etc).

Thesaurus: confront, defy, challenge, risk, brave, hazard; withstand, endure, sustain.
4. To accept (the unpleasant truth, etc).
5. To present itself to someone.

Example: the scene that faced us
6. To cover with a surface.

Example: bricks were faced with plaster
Thesaurus: finish, coat, front, decorate, polish.

Idiom: face the music

colloq
To accept the unpleasant consequences at their worst; to brave a trying situation, hostile reception, etc.

Idiom: face to face

In the presence of each other.
Example: met face to face for the first time
Thesaurus: tête-à-tête, à deux.

Facing or confronting each other. Also as adj.
Example: a face-to-face meeting
Thesaurus: eye to eye, vis-à-vis, confronting.

Idiom: face up to something or someone

To recognize the facts and prepare to endure the consequences, or to act bravely.
Thesaurus: deal with, accept, cope with, acknowledge, recognize, come to terms with, confront.

Idiom: in your face (in yer face)

Right in front of someone.

Dealing with an issue in a direct and often provocative way. Also as adj.
Example: an in-your-face film

Idiom: in the face of something

In spite of a known circumstance, etc.

Idiom: look someone in the face

To look directly at them without shame or embarrassment.

Idiom: lose face

See under lose.

Idiom: make a face (pull a face)

To grimace, scowl, frown, etc.

Idiom: on the face of it

Superficially; at first glance.

Idiom: put a good face on something (put a brave face on something)

To try to hide disappointment, fear, etc concerning it.

Idiom: put one's face on

colloq
To apply make-up to one's face.

Idiom: save one's face

To preserve one's reputation, etc in difficult circumstances, while avoiding humiliation or the appearance of giving in or climbing down.

Idiom: set one's face against something

To oppose an idea, course of action, etc, firmly.

Idiom: show one's face

Note: often with negatives
To make an appearance.
Example: didn't dare show his face
Thesaurus: be seen, show up, come, appear.

Idiom: to someone's face

Directly; openly, in someone's presence. See also facial.
Thesaurus: candidly, openly, frankly, brazenly, boldly; Antonym: behind one's back.

Etymology: 13c: from Latin facies face.

Phrasal Verb: face someone down

To confront them boldly until they give way from embarrassment, shame, etc.

Phrasal Verb: face up to something or someone

To accept an unpleasant fact, etc; to deal with it or them bravely.