face up to

USAGE SUMMARY

"face up to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you are prepared to confront a difficult situation or accept responsibility for something. Example: I must face up to the mistakes I made and take ownership of the consequences.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We must face up to it".

The New York Times

must face up to.

The Times

He'll face up to whatever it is.

The New York Times - Sports

It's time to face up to it.

The New York Times - Magazine

We need to face up to facts.

The Guardian

I will face up to them".

The New York Times

As Camus wrote: "Face up to death.

The Guardian - Books

They need to face up to that.

The New York Times

I'd rather face up to reality.

The Guardian - Opinion

A big boy sticks his face up to mine.

The New Yorker

If found guilty, they face up to five years' imprisonment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "face up to" when you want to emphasize the need to confront a difficult or unpleasant truth or situation directly. It conveys a sense of courage and responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "face up to" when a simpler verb like "confront", "acknowledge", or "address" will suffice. Overusing phrasal verbs can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "face up to" functions as an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn't take a direct object. It requires a prepositional phrase to complete its meaning. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "face up to" is a versatile and commonly used expression for acknowledging and addressing difficult situations or truths. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While simpler alternatives like "confront" or "acknowledge" may sometimes be more appropriate, "face up to" effectively conveys a sense of responsibility and courage. When writing, be mindful of the nuance it adds and avoid overusing it when simpler verbs can suffice. This guide offers insights into its usage, related phrases, and common pitfalls to help you write with greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confront

A more direct and concise way of saying "face up to", focusing on the act of dealing with something directly.

acknowledge

Focuses on recognizing the existence or truth of something, often implying a previous denial or avoidance.

accept

Emphasizes the willingness to receive or believe something, even if unpleasant.

deal with

A more general term for handling a situation, which may or may not be difficult.

grapple with

Implies a more active and sustained effort to understand or overcome a challenge.

take responsibility for

Highlights the acceptance of accountability for actions or outcomes.

come to terms with

Suggests a process of emotional adjustment and acceptance.

own up to

An informal way of admitting fault or responsibility.

reckon with

Implies acknowledging something significant or powerful that must be considered.

be honest about

Highlights the importance of being truthful and straightforward regarding a particular situation.

FAQs

How can I use "face up to" in a sentence?

You can use "face up to" to describe confronting a difficult situation, like "We need to "face up to" the challenges ahead" or accepting responsibility, such as "He had to "face up to" his mistakes".

What's a less formal alternative to "face up to"?

For a less formal alternative, consider using phrases like "own up to" or "deal with" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "face up to" and "confront"?

"Face up to" often implies a prior avoidance or denial of the issue, whereas "confront" is a more direct and neutral term for addressing a situation.

When is it best to use "face up to" instead of "accept"?

Use "face up to" when there's an element of difficulty or unpleasantness involved in acknowledging something. "Accept" is a broader term that can apply to more neutral or positive situations.