once in the face of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once in the face of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone encounters a challenge or obstacle, often implying a sense of confrontation or resilience. Example: "Once in the face of adversity, she found the strength to persevere and succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But despite the outrage, the murder seems certain to increase opposition to the planned reinforcement.This deployment, now due to begin in August, had already been delayed once in the face of deteriorating security in Iraq and fierce criticism at home.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In 1943, once again in the face of opposition from General George Marshall, then chief of the army, who wanted an early landing in France, the Anglo-American armies pressed on through Sicily into Italy.

Independent

Dr. Charles T. Sell, a St . Louisdentist, once spat in the face of a federal magistrate who was deciding whether to revoke his bail on charges of Medicaid fraud.

The New York Times

Durst traveled to New Orleans once before in the face of possible prosecution.

Los Angeles Times

She takes over the DWP, having once denied – in the face of all the evidence – that food bank usage was rising because of changes to welfare.

Vice

Holbrooke invariably mentioned East Timor, where the United Nations had for once acted quickly in the face of mass violence.

The New York Times - Magazine

But when the outgoing prime minister took the stage at a convention centre in downtown Calgary he didn't mention resignation once – choosing, even in the face of a resounding defeat, not to grant the media the satisfaction of a clip.

The Guardian

Senior citizens stare in amazement as they ascend the escalators, perhaps recalling great bullfights they saw at Las Arenas, where fearless matadors once struck poses in the face of charging bovine fury; now, the closest contact between man and beast might be the purchase of a leather manbag.

The Guardian - Arts

"It's a curious point that I've made in all my books," Dr. Griffin once said, "that in the face of very weak evidence we scientists tend to make very strong, negative statements: no animal does this, animals can't do that and so on, when we really don't know.

The New York Times

One thing remains the same, though: Piracy is once again innovating in the face of the establishment.

TechCrunch

Rather than celebrating the historic achievements of the Warren Court -- and of Justice Stevens -- Obama is once again cowering in the face of conservative opposition.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once in the face of" to emphasize resilience or unexpected action when confronted with a difficulty. This phrasing often adds a sense of determination or defiance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "once in the face of" too frequently in your writing. While it can be effective, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or melodramatic. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives such as "despite encountering" or "when confronted with" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once in the face of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate the circumstances under which an action occurs. Ludwig indicates its use in describing situations where a challenge or obstacle is encountered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "once in the face of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. Ludwig AI confirms this, indicating its function as a descriptor of actions taken when confronted with challenges. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it highlights instances of resilience or defiance. While widely understood, overuse should be avoided to prevent repetitive writing. Consider using alternatives such as "despite encountering" or "when confronted with" to diversify your phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when confronted with

Focuses on the act of being confronted, shifting the emphasis from a single event to a general state.

upon encountering

Similar to 'when confronted with', but places greater focus on the moment of encounter.

despite encountering

Highlights the act of encountering something negative but continuing regardless.

when up against

Implies a more direct and potentially combative situation.

despite the presence of

Emphasizes continuing despite a specific thing that is there.

in defiance of

Emphasizes resistance and opposition to something, rather than just facing it.

even with the threat of

Highlights the presence of a specific threat that is being faced.

notwithstanding the challenges of

Formally acknowledges challenges while indicating progress despite them.

in spite of the adversity of

Emphasizes the negative aspect of the situation being faced.

while battling

Focuses on actively battling a problem or challenge as it occurs

FAQs

How can I use "once in the face of" in a sentence?

You can use "once in the face of" to describe a situation where someone or something acts in a particular way when confronted with a challenge. For example: "Once in the face of adversity, she found the strength to persevere."

What's a good alternative to "once in the face of"?

Depending on the specific context, consider using phrases such as "despite encountering", "when confronted with", or "in defiance of" to vary your language.

Is it correct to say "one time in the face of" instead of "once in the face of"?

While "one time in the face of" might be understandable, "once in the face of" is the more idiomatic and commonly used expression. Therefore, "once in the face of" is generally preferred in formal writing.

What is the nuance between "once in the face of" and "even in the face of"?

"Once in the face of" implies a specific instance of facing something, while "even in the face of" suggests a continuing or persistent state of facing something despite ongoing challenges. The best choice depends on the context you want to convey.