What does the phrasal verb “face up to” mean?

What are the definitions of “face up to”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Accept an unpleasant truth.

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

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “face up to”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb face up to is to accept an unpleasant truth or deal with a difficult situation. It means confronting a problem or reality that is hard to accept.

What are the different verb forms of “face up to”?

Root Verb	face up to
Third Person Singular Present	faces up to
Present Participle	facing up to
Simple Past	faced up to
Past Participle	faced 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.

Example

They are facing up to the challenges of starting a new business.

Example

Yesterday, he finally faced up to his fear of public speaking.

Example

She has faced up to many difficulties in her life.

What kind of phrasal verb is “face up to”?

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb?
- A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.)
- An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Intransitive verb

“face up to” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.

Example

It's time to face up to the consequences of our actions.

Example

She finally faced up to her fears and went skydiving.

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb?
- A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle.
- An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“face up to” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Example

It's time to face up to the consequences of our actions.

Example

She finally faced up to her fears and went skydiving.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “face up to”?

Face up to one's fears

Confront and deal with something that causes fear or anxiety.

Example

He decided to face up to his fears and give a speech in front of a large audience.

Face up to the truth

Accept a difficult or unpleasant reality.

Example

She had to face up to the truth that her dream job was not what she expected.

Face up to the consequences

Deal with the results of one's actions, especially when they are negative.

Example

After making a mistake at work, he had to face up to the consequences and apologize to his boss.

Good things to know

Does “face up to” have an informal or formal tone?

Face up to is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, such as business meetings or academic discussions.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “face up to”?

Synonyms

• confront
• accept
• acknowledge
• admit
• tackle
• address
• deal with
• come to terms with

Antonyms

• avoid
• ignore
• deny
• evade
• shirk
• dodge
• sidestep
• dismiss