face death

USAGE SUMMARY

"face death" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone literally facing death, such as in a battle, or metaphorically, such as when someone is facing a difficult decision. Example: "The soldier had to face death on the battlefield, risking his life for his country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Could face death penalty.

The Guardian

If we did we'd face death.

The New York Times

Reality: You must face death.

The New York Times

Still others face death by neglect.

The New York Times - Travel

Are we ready to face death without religion?

The Guardian

They face death there, according to the "Times.

The New Yorker

How are you going to be able to face death?

The New Yorker

In northern Nigeria, gay men can face death by stoning.

The New York Times

People caught using them could face death, Mr. Katz wrote.

The New York Times - Tech

"They drown in their pleasures while you face death.

The Guardian

Picasso does not simply face death in this harrowing image.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase is highly effective in narrative writing to heighten tension or illustrate character development through courage.

Common error

Avoid using "face death" when you specifically mean a person is grieving the loss of another. "Face death" refers to the subject's own mortality or a threat to their life, whereas "face a death" usually refers to dealing with the passing of someone else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face death" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "face" acts as the action and "death" is the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it follows standard English syntax for describing a subject encountering a personified or abstract threat.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Academic

3%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "face death" is a powerful and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of confronting mortality or life-threatening danger. Ludwig AI confirms its high frequency across top-tier journalistic sources such as "The New York Times" and "The Guardian". It is versatile, serving both literal reports on survival and metaphorical reflections on the end of life. When using this phrase, writers should be aware of its heavy emotional weight and choose it for contexts where high stakes or profound human experiences are being discussed. Alternatives like "<a href="/s/confront+mortality" target="_blank" rel="alternative">confront mortality" can offer a more academic tone, while "<a href="/s/stare+death+in+the+face" target="_blank" rel="alternative">stare death in the face" provides more dramatic flair.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confront mortality

Suggests a more philosophical or existential engagement with the fact of dying

look death in the eye

Emphasizes personal courage and a direct, unflinching gaze at danger

stare death in the face

More idiomatic and dramatic, often implying bravery or a near-miss

risk one's life

Focuses on the active choice to put oneself in danger

face the end

Often used as a euphemism for dying or the final stages of life

accept the inevitable

Focuses on the psychological surrender or peace made with dying

court death

Implies that someone is being reckless or inviting danger

meet one's doom

Carries a more literary or fatalistic tone, often implying an unfortunate fate

stare into the abyss

More metaphorical, focusing on the dark or unknown aspect of mortality

brave the grave

A poetic and alliterative way to describe facing death

FAQs

How to use "face death" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe dangerous situations, such as "The hikers had to <a href="/s/face+death" target="_blank" rel="alternative">face death when the storm hit the mountain" or existential topics like "Philosophy helps us learn how to <a href="/s/face+death" target="_blank" rel="alternative">face death with dignity".

What can I say instead of "face death"?

Depending on your tone, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/confront+mortality" target="_blank" rel="alternative">confront mortality", "<a href="/s/stare+death+in+the+face" target="_blank" rel="alternative">stare death in the face" or "<a href="/s/risk+it+all" target="_blank" rel="alternative">risk it all".

Is "face death" considered a formal expression?

It is generally neutral. It is frequently found in high-level journalism like "<a href="/s/The+New+York+Times" target="_blank" rel="alternative">The New York Times" and literature, making it suitable for both professional and creative writing.

What's the difference between "face death" and "confront death"?

While very similar, "<a href="/s/confront+death" target="_blank" rel="alternative">confront death" can sound slightly more active or intellectual, whereas "<a href="/s/face+death" target="_blank" rel="alternative">face death" is the most common way to describe being in a life-threatening position.