face up

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To confront an unpleasant situation

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts / It's not easy facing up when your whole world is black

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “face up” mean?

To confront an unpleasant situation

Is “face up” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.