Phrasal verbs "face up to" vs "stand up to"

Differences between face up to and stand up to

Face up to means to confront or acknowledge a difficult situation or problem, while stand up to means to resist or confront someone or something that is threatening or intimidating.

Meanings and Definitions: face up to vs stand up to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Face up to

  • 1Accept an unpleasant truth.

    Many people find it hard to FACE UP TO the fact that they are getting old.

Stand up to

  • 1Keep your principles when challenged by an authority.

    She STOOD UP TO the police when they tried to corrupt her.

  • 2Resist damage.

    This coat will STAND UP TO the roughest weather conditions.

Usage Examples: face up to, stand up to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

face up to

Example

She needs to face up to the fact that her relationship is not working.

Example

He faces up to his responsibilities as a father.

stand up to

Example

She stands up to her boss when he treats her unfairly.

Example

He stands up to the bullies at school.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Face up to

To face or deal with a difficult situation or problem directly.

Example

She had to confront her fear of public speaking to give a presentation at work.

To admit or recognize the existence of a problem or issue.

Example

He finally acknowledged his addiction and sought help from a support group.

To accept or reconcile oneself to a difficult reality or situation.

Example

It took her a long time to come to terms with the loss of her loved one.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Stand up to

resist

To oppose or refuse to comply with someone or something that is threatening or oppressive.

Example

The workers decided to resist the company's unfair labor practices by going on strike.

To protect oneself from harm or injustice by standing up against an aggressor or oppressor.

Example

She had to defend herself against the bully who was harassing her at school.

To resist or retaliate against an attack or aggression.

Example

The victim managed to fight back and escape from the robber who tried to steal her purse.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “face”

Differences in face up to vs stand up to: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: face up to or stand up to?

Both phrases are commonly used in everyday conversation, but stand up to is slightly more common. This is because it's often used in situations where someone needs to assert themselves or defend their rights, which can happen frequently in daily life.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of face up to and stand up to

Both face up to and stand up to are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, stand up to can be used in more formal settings like business or academic contexts to convey a sense of assertiveness or confidence.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of face up to and stand up to

The tone of face up to and stand up to can differ based on context. Face up to often carries a serious or introspective tone when related to confronting personal issues or challenges, while stand up to typically has a more aggressive or defiant tone, especially when referring to standing up against an oppressor or bully.

face up to & stand up to: Synonyms and Antonyms

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!