faced head on

USAGE SUMMARY

"faced head on" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to confront a challenge or difficulty directly and with determination. Example: Despite all the obstacles, the team faced the project head on and successfully completed it on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

What I once failed to see was that I possessed the one requirement of courage -- a fear to be faced head on.

HuffPost

The British government needs to recognise that the issue must be faced head on.

Independent

The missing word in a Wordsworth line that Crusoe, on his island, struggles to remember, is "solitude"; some things cannot be faced head on.

The New Yorker

There are moments when Finn's story feels suspiciously like a compensatory fantasy, invented to disguise a trauma that can't be faced head on — as if it were the "Mulholland Drive" of children's television.

The New Yorker

Another challenge for church schools – which must be faced head on – is the complexity of combating homophobic bullying while still teaching the traditional Anglican view of marriage, especially in the light of the revolutionary change to its legal definition for the accommodation of same-sex couples.

Independent

Faced head on with the ethical allegory of homeless persons sneaking into human-shaped spaces in a building reserved for abandoned dogs, the pet-rescue workers could be relied upon to defy the Friendreth Society's mandate and let silence cover what they witnessed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

He exemplified the warrior spirit that is essential to win in tough battles, and he proved what true warriors can do when faced head-on with the ultimate sacrifice.

The New York Times

Republican lawmakers have not disputed the accuracy of the reports describing the assessment's findings, but they have said a grave terror threat that predated the Sept. 11 attacks had to be faced head-on.

The New York Times

But if it is faced head-on, with confidence and honesty, the relationship between the giver - whether private or a company - and the asker can be strong, positive, supportive and thoroughly enjoyable.

The Guardian - Arts

He writes: "Another challenge for church schools – which must be faced head-on – is the complexity of combating homophobic bullying while still teaching the traditional Anglican view of marriage, especially in the light of the revolutionary change to its legal definition for the accommodation of same-sex couples".

Independent

Her attraction to Nick proceeds without the initial hostility that is often a feature of movies like this, but her worry about the authenticity of his love exposes an unacknowledged sadness that, if faced head-on, would have made "When in Rome" a much more affecting movie.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "faced head on" when you want to emphasize a direct and courageous approach to dealing with a problem or challenge. It conveys a sense of determination and lack of hesitation.

Common error

Avoid using alternative prepositions like "at" or "in" with "faced head on". The correct construction is always "faced head on", without any intervening preposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "faced head on" functions as a verb phrase, often used transitively to describe the action of confronting a difficulty or challenge directly and resolutely. Ludwig examples show it relating to courage, problems, fears and other obstacles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "faced head on" is a correct and common expression used to describe the act of confronting a challenge directly and with determination. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, remember that the phrase conveys courage and a lack of hesitation in tackling difficult situations. Alternatives like "tackled head-on" or "confronted directly" can be used to diversify your writing. Be mindful of the preposition usage; the correct form is always "faced head on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tackled head-on

Implies a more active and forceful approach to the challenge.

met head-on

Similar meaning, but emphasizes the act of encountering the challenge.

confronted directly

Emphasizes directness of confrontation; more concise.

grappled with directly

Implies a struggle or effort in confronting the challenge.

addressed squarely

Suggests dealing with an issue honestly and without evasion.

engaged directly with

Highlights active participation and interaction in addressing the issue.

dealt with decisively

Focuses on the resolution and the firm action taken.

combated directly

Suggests a battle or fight against a specific issue.

taken by the horns

An idiom that suggests a bold and assertive approach.

attacked directly

Stronger connotation of aggression or forceful action.

FAQs

How can I use "faced head on" in a sentence?

Use "faced head on" to describe directly confronting a challenge or problem. For example: "The company "faced head on" the crisis with a clear strategy".

What's a good alternative to "faced head on"?

Alternatives to "faced head on" include "confronted directly", "tackled head-on", or "addressed squarely", each varying slightly in emphasis.

Is it correct to say "faced the problem head on"?

Yes, "faced the problem head on" is grammatically correct. It means to address the problem directly and without hesitation, using determination.

What is the difference between "faced head on" and "ignored" a problem?

"Faced head on" means actively addressing a problem, while ignoring a problem means deliberately avoiding it. They are opposite actions.