1 C1 idiomatic neutral
To confront someone threatening or challenging with courage until they are forced to retreat or concede.
"The prime minister faced down her critics by releasing the full report to the public."
separable
face down
C1 neutral separable transitive
To confront someone or something boldly and force them to back down through courage or determination.
In plain English
To bravely deal with someone who is threatening you until they give up.
What does "face down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To place or position something with its face or surface turned downward (adjective/adverb use, not a true phrasal verb).
"She placed her cards face down on the table so nobody could see them."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To turn something so its face or front is pointing downward.
Actually means
To bravely deal with someone who is threatening you until they give up.
Usage tip
Can also be used as an adjective/adverb meaning 'with the face or front pointing downward' (e.g., 'lie face down'), which is a separate, non-phrasal usage. As a phrasal verb, it is mainly used in confrontational or dramatic contexts.
Words that pair with "face down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
critics opposition challenger threat bully rival
How to conjugate "face down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
face down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
faces down
he/she/it
Past simple
faced down
yesterday
Past participle
faced down
have + pp
-ing form
facing down
continuous
Hear "face down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "face down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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