Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

face

2 verb
     
face2 S1 W1 [transitive]
1

difficult situation

if you face or are faced with a difficult situation, or if a difficult situation faces you, it is going to affect you and you must deal with it:
Emergency services are facing additional problems this winter.
The President faces the difficult task of putting the economy back on its feet.
McManus is facing the biggest challenge of his career.
As the project comes to an end, many workers now face an uncertain future.
He must face the prospect of financial ruin.
be faced with something
I was faced with the awful job of breaking the news to the girl's family.
the difficulties faced by the police
If he is found guilty, he faces up to 12 years in jail.
face charges/prosecution (=have legal charges brought against you)
He was the first member of the former government to face criminal charges.
2

admit a problem exists

also face up to something to accept that a difficult situation or problem exists, even though you would prefer to ignore itCOLLOCATIONS COLLOCATIONS
face the fact that face facts face the truth (let's) face it spoken (=used when saying something that is hard for someone to accept)
Many couples refuse to face the fact that there are problems in their marriage.
You've got to face facts, Rachel. You can't survive on a salary that low.
He had to face the awful truth that she no longer loved him.
Face it, kid. You're never going to be a rock star.
3

can't face

if you can't face something, you feel unable to do it because it seems too unpleasant or difficult:
I don't want to go back to college - I just can't face it.
I can't face the thought of going into town when it's this hot.
She couldn't face the prospect of another divorce.
can't face doing something
He couldn't face driving all the way to Los Angeles.
4

talk/deal with somebody

to talk or deal with someone, when this is unpleasant or difficult for you:
You're going to have to face him sooner or later.
I don't know how I'm going to face her after what happened.
The accident left her feeling depressed and unable to face the world (=be with people and live a normal life).
5

be opposite

to be opposite someone or something, or to be looking or pointing in a particular direction:
The two men stood facing each other, smiling.
When he turned to face her, he seemed annoyed.
Lunch is served on the terrace facing the sea.
south-facing/west-facing etc
a south-facing garden
face north/east etc
The dining room faces east.
➔ see usage note front1
6

opponent/team

to play against an opponent or team in a game or competition:
Martinez will face Robertson in tomorrow's final.
7

face the music

informal to accept criticism or punishment for something you have done
8

building

be faced with stone/concrete etc

TBC a building that is faced with stone, concrete etc has a layer of that material on its outside surfaces

face somebody ↔ down

phrasal verb
to deal in a strong and confident way with someone who opposes you:
Harrison successfully faced down the mob of angry workers.

face off

phrasal verb
to fight, argue, or compete with someone, or to get into a position in which you are ready to do this:
The two candidates will face off in a televised debate on Friday.

face up to something

phrasal verb
to accept and deal with a difficult fact or problem:
They'll never offer you another job; you might as well face up to it.
She had to face up to the fact that he was guilty.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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