face-plant
C1Informal
Definition
Meaning
To fall forwards, landing on one's face, typically in a sudden or dramatic manner.
A metaphorical failure or embarrassment, especially a sudden and complete one.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can function as a noun ('take a face-plant') or a verb ('he face-planted'). It implies a lack of grace and often an element of public humiliation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties. The noun form is slightly more common in British English, often as 'face-plant', while the verb 'to face-plant' is highly frequent in American media.
Connotations
Both share connotations of comedy and minor injury. American usage often implies a more dramatic, slapstick visual.
Frequency
More frequent in American English, especially in sports and entertainment contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] face-planted [into LOCATION][Subject] did a face-plant[Subject] took a face-plantVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He face-planted the presentation.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically for a project or pitch that fails spectacularly and publicly.
Academic
Rarely used; considered too informal.
Everyday
Common in describing falls while running, cycling, or walking on ice.
Technical
Used in sports medicine and biomechanics to describe a specific type of impact injury.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He slipped on the wet pavement and face-planted spectacularly.
- The skier caught an edge and face-planted into a snowdrift.
American English
- She totally face-planted right in front of her crush.
- The quarterback was sacked and face-planted on the turf.
adverb
British English
- He fell face-plant onto the mat.
- (Rarely used as adverb)
American English
- She went down face-plant in the mud.
- (Rarely used as adverb)
adjective
British English
- He had a classic face-plant moment on the ice rink.
- The video of his face-plant fail went viral.
American English
- It was a face-plant disaster of epic proportions.
- His presentation had a face-plant start but recovered.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He fell and did a face-plant.
- Be careful on the ice, or you'll face-plant!
- The runner took a nasty face-plant on the track.
- His attempt at a skateboard trick ended in an embarrassing face-plant.
- The company's new product launch was a financial face-plant.
- After his political gaffe, commentators described his campaign as having face-planted on national television.
- The actor's attempt at a serious dramatic role was seen as a critical face-plant.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a gardener 'planting' a 'face' into the soil.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAILURE IS A PHYSICAL FALL (A bad result is likened to a clumsy, painful collapse).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите дословно как "лицо-растение".
- Не используйте "упасть лицом вниз" в слишком формальных контекстах, это звучит неестественно.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'face-plant' to describe any fall (must involve landing face-first).
- Using it in formal writing.
- Incorrect spelling: 'faceplant' (also acceptable), 'face plant'.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does 'face-plant' metaphorically mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'face-plant' (hyphenated) and 'faceplant' (closed) are commonly accepted spellings.
Yes, 'to face-plant' is a common verb (e.g., 'He face-planted on the sidewalk').
It is decidedly informal and colloquial. It is inappropriate for formal reports or academic papers.
A face-plant specifically describes falling forwards and landing on the face, often with arms failing to break the fall, implying a more abrupt and undignified impact.