face down
B1-B2Neutral to Informal. Common in spoken English, journalism, and descriptive writing.
Definition
Meaning
To position something with its front or principal surface toward the ground; to confront a difficult situation directly and with determination.
Used metaphorically to describe tackling adversity, opposition, or a challenge head-on, often implying resilience. Also refers to a physical orientation where the functional or identifiable side is not visible.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a phrasal verb, it implies active engagement with a problem. As an adjective/adverb, it is purely descriptive of physical position. The confrontation sense often collocates with words like 'danger', 'criticism', or 'adversity'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both varieties use it identically in terms of meaning and frequency.
Connotations
Slight preference in UK English for 'face down' in journalistic contexts describing political confrontations. US English may use it slightly more in business/management contexts.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] faced down [Object (opponent/threat)][Subject] lay/placed [Object] face downVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(not a core idiom, but related) 'Meet something head-on'”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The CEO faced down the hostile takeover attempt.
Academic
The theory faced down considerable skepticism before gaining acceptance.
Everyday
She placed the cards face down on the table.
Technical
The component must be installed face down on the motherboard.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The prime minister faced down rebels in her own party.
- The community faced down the developers' plans.
American English
- The sheriff faced down the outlaws in the street.
- We have to face down these allegations immediately.
adverb
British English
- She laid the photo face down.
- The body was discovered lying face down.
American English
- Flip the pancake and cook it face down.
- He slumped face down on his desk.
adjective
British English
- He found the document lying in a face-down position.
- Use the face-down setting on the photocopier.
American English
- The phone was left face-down on the counter.
- A face-down card is called a 'hole card' in poker.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Put the paper face down on the glass.
- The boy is sleeping face down.
- She placed the letter face down so no one could read it.
- The government had to face down strong protests.
- The general's confident demeanor helped him face down the mutiny.
- All confidential forms should be stored face down in the tray.
- Her research faced down decades of entrenched academic dogma.
- The negotiator faced down the hostile delegation without conceding a single point.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a playing card 'facing' its picture 'down' toward the table, hiding it. To 'face down' a bully is to turn your 'face' toward them and look 'down' on their threat, showing no fear.
Conceptual Metaphor
OPPOSITION IS A PHYSICAL FORCE/ENTITY THAT MUST BE CONFRONTED FROM A POSITION OF STRENGTH. / HIDING INFORMATION IS TURNING IT AWAY FROM VIEW.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить буквально как "лицом вниз" для метафорического значения (стоять насмерть, дать отпор). Путаница с "face up" (лицевой стороной вверх).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'face down' as a noun (e.g., 'a face down' – incorrect). Confusing 'face down' (confront) with 'back down' (retreat). Incorrect word order: 'down face'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'face down' used as an ADVERB?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is written as two separate words, both as a phrasal verb and as an adjective/adverb combination.
'Face down' means the front or important side is turned toward the ground or hidden. 'Face up' means it is turned upward or visible. Metaphorically, 'face up to' means to accept and deal with a problem, which is similar to but less confrontational than 'face down'.
Yes, especially in its metaphorical sense of confronting a challenge. The physical orientation sense is neutral and acceptable in all registers.
The past tense is 'faced down' (e.g., 'He faced down the challenge'). 'Face downed' is never correct.