■face与confront

1. 这两个动词意义和用法都大致相同，都是“面对”的意思，属第一类或第二类动词。但是face可以用于具体物件（主语、宾语均可），confront则多用于抽象事物，而且通常要有人参与，很少用于物对物。【例如】The wall faces (*confronts) the square. 墙对着广场。/ The hotel faces (*confronts) the sea. 旅馆对着大海。/ The flower faces (*confronts) the light. 花对着光。/ He was sitting facing(*confronting) the wall. 他面壁坐着。

2. 从中文来看，“面对”可以是“无意识的面对”（第一类动词，延续状态）或“有意识的面对”（第二类动词，延续活动）。face和confront，都可以用来或者表示“无意识的面对”，或者表示“有意识的面对”，但是搭配有些不同：

（a）表示“无意识的面对”，通常不用人作主语、事物作宾语，而是以事物作主语，人作宾语（confront比face正式，都是第一类动词，表示延续状态）。【例如】A new problem faces us. 我们面对一个新的问题。/ Defeat faces us unless we act at once. 除非立即行动，否则我们就要失败。/ Can you think of some typical problems that confront Chinese learning English? 你能设想中国人学英语所遇到的某些典型问题吗？/ These hazards confront the miners every day. 矿工们天天都面临这些危险。

（b）但是face所包含的主观意志比confront弱，因而在现代英语中已经可以以人作主语、事物作宾语，表示“无意识的面对”。【例如】Researchers still face a difficult issue. 研究人员仍然面临一个难题。/ I face that problem every day. 我天天都遇到那个问题。/ We face heavy increases next year. 我们明年的开支要大幅度增加。/ The new democracies face tough challenges. 新的民主国家面临着严峻的考验。/ As university campuses become increasingly multi-ethnic, they offer a glimpse of the conflicts society will face tomorrow. 随着大学校园日益变得多民族化，社会明天将会面临的种种冲突，从那里可见一斑。但是有时候confront也可以用人作主语，事物作宾语，来表示“无意识的面对”。【例如】And the UN, already coping with a 55 percent rise in food aid costs, now confronts a new crisis, as it ships food to Myanmar. (US News & World Report, May 19, 2008, p. 36) 联合国本来就在应付着粮食援助费用上涨百分之五十五的问题，现在要运送粮食到缅甸去，又面对着一场新的危机。

（c）face在“无意识的面对”中，还有一个confront所没有的意义，就是“遭遇到（某种不利的未来前景）”（仍然是延续性的状态）。【例如】Hundreds of tree species face extinction. 数以百计的树种濒临灭绝。/ If homeowners can't keep up the payment, they face foreclosure. 购房户如果做不到按期付款，就会面临房屋拍卖。/ Under Greece's stiff anti-drugs laws they could face twenty years in jail. 按照希腊严厉的禁毒法律，他们可能要坐二十年的牢。/ If police breathalyse me and find I am over the limit, I face a long ban. 如果警察测试我的呼吸，发现我的酒精含量超过限度，我的驾照就会被长期吊销。/ If found guilty, she could face a sentence of ten years. 她如果被认为有罪，就可能被判十年徒刑。/ Customers who arrange overdrafts will face a monthly charge of5. 顾客如果透支，可能每月被罚五欧元。

但是face以人作主语，事物作宾语，也可以表示“有意识地面对”。如何判别，要看上下文。【例如】Face your enemy boldly. 勇敢面对你的敌人。/ He accused the government of refusing to face facts about the economy. 他指责政府拒绝面对经济状况。

（d）“无意识地面对”，也可以采取face或confront的被动语态（仍然是第一类动词，表示延续状态），此时人作主语，抽象事物多用with，具体事物（但象征着困难）多用by引入。【例如】As teachers we are now faced with a dilemma. 我们做老师的现在左右为难。/ I was confronted with the task of designing and building the new system. 我面临着设计并建构新系统的任务。/ When I am confronted by a microphone, my mind goes completely blank. 我一对着麦克风，脑子里就一片空白。/ Police were confronted by a group of demonstrators. 警察遇到一群示威者。

（e）以人作主语，事物作宾语，这样的结构，似乎专门留给了“有意识地面对”（除了（b）与（c）中的face外），此时动词就不是第一类（无意识的延续状态），而是第二类动词了（表示有意识的延续活动）。【例如】I don't understand your refusal to confront reality. 你这样拒绝面对现实，我真没法理解。/ Let's face it, we have no alternative. 咱们别无他法，就认了吧。/ I have grown up now and I have to face up to my responsibilities. 我已经长大成人了，我应该面对自己的责任。

（f）以人作主语，他人作宾语，表示“有意识地对抗”。【例如】Defendants have the right to confront their accusers. 被告有权同控诉人对质。

---

WORD FAMILY
USAGE EXAMPLES

face

[noun]

1 = countenance, features, mug (slang), visage

2 = expression, appearance, aspect, look

3 = scowl, frown, grimace, pout, smirk

4 = façade, appearance, display, exterior, front, mask, show

5 = side, exterior, front, outside, surface

6 = self-respect, authority, dignity, honour, image, prestige, reputation, standing, status

[verb]

7 = meet, brave, come up against, confront, deal with, encounter, experience, oppose, tackle

8 = look onto, be opposite, front onto, overlook

9 = coat, clad, cover, dress, finish

face

I

\\ˈfās\\ noun

 USAGE  often attributive

 ETYMOLOGY  Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *facia, from Latin facies make, form, face, from facere to make, do — more at do

 DATE  13th century

1.
  a. the front part of the head that in humans extends from the forehead to the chin and includes the mouth, nose, cheeks, and eyes
  b. the face as a means of identification : countenance
      would know that face anywhere
2. archaic : presence, sight
3.
  a. facial expression
      a friendly face
  b. a facial expression of distaste or displeasure
      he made a face when he saw the test results
  c. makeup 3a(1)
4.
  a.
    (1) outward appearance
       put a good face on it
    (2) the aspect of something that is perceptible or obvious upon superficial examination
       the theory is absurd on its face — Kim Neely
  b. disguise, pretense
  c.
    (1) assurance, confidence
       maintaining a firm face in spite of adversity
    (2) effrontery
       how anyone could have the face to ask that question
  d. dignity, prestige
      afraid to lose face
5. surface:
  a.
    (1) a front, upper, or outer surface
    (2) the front of something having two or four sides
    (3) facade
    (4) an exposed surface of rock
    (5) any of the plane surfaces that bound a geometric solid
  b. a surface specially prepared: as
    (1) the principal dressed surface (as of a disk)
    (2) the right side (as of cloth or leather)
    (3) an inscribed, printed, or marked side
  c. a striking surface (as of a tool)
      the face of the golf club
      the face of an anvil
  d.
    (1) the surface (as of type) that receives the ink and transfers it to the paper
    (2) a style of type
6. the end or wall of a mine tunnel, drift, or excavation at which work is progressing
7. face value
8. person
    lots of new faces around here
 • • •
- in one's face
- in the face of
- to one's face

II

verb
(faced ; fac·ing)

 DATE  15th century

transitive verb
1. to confront impudently
2.
  a. to line near the edge especially with a different material
  b. to cover the front or surface of
      faced the building with marble
3. to meet face-to-face or in competition
4.
  a. to stand or sit with the face toward
  b. to have the front oriented toward
      a house facing the park
5.
  a. to recognize and deal with straightforwardly
      face the facts
  b. to master by confronting with determination — used with down
      faced down his critics
6.
  a. to have as a prospect : be confronted by
      face a grim future
  b. to be a prospect or a source of concern for
      the problems that face us
  c. to bring face-to-face
      he was faced with ruin
7. to make the surface of (as a stone) flat or smooth
8. to cause (troops) to face in a particular direction on command
intransitive verb
1. to have the face or front turned in a specified direction
2. to turn the face in a specified direction
 • • •
- face the music

face

noun

 

/feɪs/

/feɪs/

Idioms

jump to other results

front of head头的正面

1. enlarge image
    
   the front part of the head, where the eyes, nose and mouth are 脸；面孔
   

   
   • a pretty/pale/round face 漂亮/苍白/圆脸
   • He buried his face in his hands.他双手掩面。
   • to hide/cover your face隐藏/遮住你的脸
   • on somebody's face You should have seen the look on her face when I told her!我告诉她的时候你真该看到她的脸色！
   • The expression on his face never changed.他的面部表情总是一成不变。
   • in the face She was red in the face with embarrassment.她尴尬地红了脸。
   • At that time, her face was on the covers of all the magazines.当时，她的脸庞出现在所有杂志的封面上。
   see also full face
   Extra Examples

   • A face peered around the door at him.门边有一张脸窥视着他。
   • a craggy face with deep-set eyes and bushy brows一张粗犷的脸，眼睛深陷，眉毛浓密
   • The look on his face was priceless.他脸上的表情很滑稽。
   • A look of disgust flickered across his face.他的脸上闪过一丝厌恶。
   • From the stage, he looked down at a sea of faces.他从台上看去，台下一片人海。
   • He tilted her face up to his.他扳起她的脸来对着自己。
   • His eyes were sunken in his gaunt face.他面容憔悴，眼窝深陷。
   • The ball hit him in the face.球打到了他的脸上。
   • She slapped him in the face.她拍了他一巴掌。
   • I like to feel the wind in my face.我喜欢面对我的风。
   • She turned her face away.她把脸转过去。
   • The robber made no attempt to hide his face.强盗没有试图掩饰他的脸。
   • He covered his face with his hands.他以双手掩面。
   • Go and wash your face.去把脸洗一洗。
   • What's that mark on your face?你脸上的印是什么？
   • She put some powder on her face.她往脸上擦了些粉。
   • She has a beautiful, oval face.她有着一张漂亮的椭圆脸。
   • She had a plump, pretty face.她有一张丰润俊俏的脸。
   • A tall man with a handsome face appeared.一个高个子，长着一张英俊的脸出现了。
   • The child drew a face with two round eyes and a mouth.这个孩子用两只圆的眼睛和一张嘴画了一张脸。
   • I lay face up on the grass, staring at the sky.我脸朝上躺在草地上，凝视着天空。
   • She had a big smile on her face.她脸上带着灿烂的笑容。
   • Her face was flushed after her run.她跑完步后满面通红。
   • A wry smile crossed his face.他一脸苦笑。
   • Her short hair suited her elfin face.她留短发适合她那张小巧精致的脸。
   • Jack's face flushed with embarrassment.杰克窘得脸通红。
   • Her face and neck looked red.她的脸和脖子看起来很红。
   • She looked at her face in the mirror.她看着镜子里的脸。
   Topics Bodya1
   Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

   • front
   • rear
   • North
   • …

   phrases

   • face down
   • face downwards/​downward
   • face up
   • …

   See full entry

expression表情

2.  
   an expression that is shown on somebody’s face面部表情
   • a smiling/happy/sad face微笑/快乐/悲伤的脸
   • Her face lit up (= showed happiness) when she spoke of the past.她讲到往事时就面露喜色。
   • His face fell (= showed disappointment, sadness, etc.) when he read the headlines.他读大标题时脸沉了下来。
   • I could tell by his face it hadn't gone well.我可以从他的脸上看出来情况不佳。
   • Sue's face was a picture (= she looked very surprised, angry, etc.) as she listened to her husband's speech.休听她丈夫讲话时，脸上露出又惊又气的表情。
   see also game face, poker face
   Vocabulary Building Expressions on your faceExpressions on your face面部表情

   • To beam is to have a big happy smile on your face.
   • To frown is to make a serious, angry or worried expression by bringing your eyebrows closer together so that lines appear on your forehead.
   • To glare or glower is to look in an angry, aggressive way.
   • To grimace is to make an ugly expression with your face to show pain, disgust, etc.
   • To scowl is to look at someone in an angry or annoyed way.
   • To smirk is to smile in a silly or unpleasant way that shows that you are pleased with yourself, know something that other people do not know, etc.
   • To sneer is to show that you have no respect for someone by turning your upper lip upwards.

   These words can also be used as nouns:

   • She looked up with a puzzled frown.她抬起头来，困惑地皱着眉头。
   • He gave me an icy glare.他冷冰冰地怒视着我。
   • a grimace of pain痛得扭曲的脸
   Extra Examples

   • His face looked a little confused.他看上去有点儿困惑。
   • He just stood there with a confused face.他只是呆呆地站在那里。
   • The father's face softened as he hugged his little boy.父亲搂着小儿子时脸上的表情也变得温和了。
   • Her little face lit up when I gave her the present.我给她礼物时，她的小脸上焕发出了光彩。
   • Her face darkened with anger.因为生气，她的脸沉了下来。
   • Her face broke into a wide smile.她突然面露笑意，乐得合不拢嘴。
   • Her face brightened when she saw me.看到我，她的脸发亮。
   • A girl with a friendly face opened the door.一个友好面孔的女孩打开了门。
   • Her face paled with fright.她吓得脸都白了。
   • Her face suddenly grew serious.她的表情突然严肃起来。
   • His face cleared and she smiled back.他面色转晴，她对他报以微笑。
   • His face remained impassive, so strong was his self-control.他依然面无表情，自控能力如此之强。
   • Her face was set and hard.她的脸庞凝重。
   • His face set in grim lines.他表情阴沉严峻。
   • He searched her face for some clue as to what she meant.他仔细观察她的表情，想弄明白她的意思。
   • You could read her confusion in her face.你可以看得出她脸上的困惑。
   • She looked at the honest, open face of her husband.她看着丈夫真诚、坦率的脸。
   • Her face betrayed no emotion at all.她的脸上没有显露出任何情感。
   • She drew a little yellow smiley face.她画了一个黄色的笑脸符。
   • Her face contorted in pain.她痛得脸都歪了。
   • Her face crumpled and she started crying.她耷拉着脸哭了起来。
   • the sight of Sarah's smiling face beaming up at him萨拉满脸微笑对着他的样子
   • I laughed at his funny face.我嘲笑他的鬼脸。
   Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

   • animated
   • cheerful
   • friendly
   • …

   verb + face

   • make
   • pull
   • search
   • …

   face + verb

   • look
   • seem
   • grow
   • …

   preposition

   • on somebody’s face

   phrases

   • a face like thunder
   • keep a straight face
   • an/​the expression on somebody’s face
   • …

   See full entry

person人

3.  
   (in compounds构成复合词) used to refer to a person of the type mentioned（某类型的）人
   • She looked around for a familiar face.她环顾四周想找个熟人。
   • He's a fresh face (= somebody new) at the company.他在公司里是个新鲜面孔。
   • It's nice to see some new faces here this evening.今晚在这儿见到一些新面孔真是太好了。
   • The movie is full of famous faces.这部电影充满了著名的面孔。
   • a well-known face on our television screens电视屏幕上的一位名人
   • I'm tired of seeing the same old faces every time we go out!每当我们外出时，我都讨厌看到同样的面孔！
   Extra Examples

   • a restaurant where you often see famous faces一家你经常会看到名人的餐馆
   • I'm so bored with seeing the same old faces!我看到的都是些老面孔，真是烦人！
   • It's nice to see a friendly face.很高兴看到一张友好的面孔。
   • I recognize a few faces here.我在这里认出了几张面孔。
   • We're bringing in a lot of fresh faces.我们带来了许多新鲜面孔。
   • At last—here's a face I know!最后，我知道这是一张脸！
   • They want recognizable faces to promote their products.他们希望认出面孔来宣传他们的产品。
   • It's a bit disconcerting to wake up and see a strange face.醒来并看到一张奇怪的面孔有点令人不安。
   Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

   • familiar
   • old
   • different
   • …

   verb + face

   • see

   See full entry

-faced面容…

4.  
   (in adjectives构成形容词) having the type of face or expression mentioned有…面容的；有…表情的
   • pale-faced面色苍白的
   • a freckle-faced boy满脸雀斑的男孩
   • grim-faced表情严肃的
   • a sad-faced woman悲伤的女人
   see also baby-faced, fresh-faced, hard-faced, red-faced, shamefaced, sour-faced, stony-faced, straight-faced
   More Like This Compound adjectives for physical characteristicsCompound adjectives for physical characteristics

   • -beaked
   • -bellied
   • -billed
   • -blooded
   • -bodied
   • -cheeked
   • -chested
   • -eared
   • -eyed
   • -faced
   • -fingered
   • -footed
   • -haired
   • -handed
   • -headed
   • -hearted
   • -hipped
   • -lidded
   • -limbed
   • -mouthed
   • -necked
   • -nosed
   • -skinned
   • -tailed
   • -throated
   • -toothed

side/surface面；表面

5.  
   a side or surface of something（某物的）面，表面
   

   
   • the north face of the mountain山的北坡
   • the dark face of the moon月亮的黑暗面孔
   • A steep path zigzags down the cliff face.一条陡峭的小路蜿蜒曲折地从悬崖上走下来。
   • We could see tiny figures climbing the rock face.我们可以看到微小的人物爬上岩壁。
   • Ivy covered the front face of the house.常春藤遮住了房子的正面。
   • A banner hung across the face of the building.一面横幅挂在建筑物的表面。
   • How many faces does a cube have?立方体有几个面？
   see also coalface, rock face
   Extra Examples

   • The birds build their nests in the rock face.这些鸟在岩壁上筑巢。
   • We slowly climbed the steep face of the crag.我们沿着悬崖峭壁缓慢地往上爬。
   • His shot went across the face of the goal.他的投篮命中了目标。
   • words chiselled into the face of a stone block刻在一块石头上的单词
   • Their corporate logo was emblazoned across the face of a skyscraper.他们的公司徽标装饰在摩天大楼的正面。
   • the picture on the rear face of the box盒子背面的图片
   • They made their way slowly down the mountain face.他们沿着山路慢慢走。
   • an octagonal vase with molded decorations on each face一个八角形花瓶，每个面上都有模制装饰
   • a polyhedron with twelve faces具有十二个面的多面体
   Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

   • front
   • rear
   • North
   • …

   phrases

   • face down
   • face downwards/​downward
   • face up
   • …

   See full entry

front of clock钟面

6. enlarge image
   the front part of a clock or watch钟面；表盘
   

   
   • a dial like the face of a clock像钟表一样的表盘
   Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

   • front
   • rear
   • North
   • …

   phrases

   • face down
   • face downwards/​downward
   • face up
   • …

   See full entry

character/aspect特征；方面

7. the particular character of something（事物的某种）特征
   • face of something the changing face of Britain大不列颠变化中的特征
   • This discovery changed the whole face of science.这一发现改变了科学的整个面貌。
   • with a… face bureaucracy with a human face有人情味的官僚机构
   Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

   • human
   • acceptable
   • unacceptable
   • …

   See full entry
8. face of something a particular aspect of something方面
   • Social deprivation is the unacceptable face of capitalism.社会贫困是资本主义令人不可接受的方面。
   • He has become the public face of the company.他已成为公司的公众形象。
   Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

   • human
   • acceptable
   • unacceptable
   • …

   See full entry
see also in-your-face, typeface, volte-face
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, based on Latin facies ‘form, appearance, face’.

Idioms

be staring somebody in the face

1. used to describe something that you have failed to see, even though it was obvious and should have been easy to see明摆着；显而易见
   • The answer was staring us in the face but we never saw it until it was too late.答案盯着我们，但直到来不及，我们才看到它。
2. to be certain to happen必定发生
   • Defeat was staring them in the face.他们必遭失败。
   Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyc2

be staring something in the face

1. to be unable to avoid something不可避免
   • They were staring defeat in the face.对他们来说，失败不可避免。

be written all over somebody’s face

1. (of a feeling感情) to be very obvious to other people from the expression on somebody’s face形之于色；表现得十分明显
   • Guilt was written all over his face.他满脸愧疚。

blow up in somebody’s face

1. if a plan, etc. blows up in your face, it goes badly wrong in a way that causes you damage or makes you feel embarrassed 事情失败，害了自己

cut off your nose to spite your face

1. (informal) to do something when you are angry that is meant to harm somebody else but that also harms you （恼怒之下）伤人害己，损人不利己

disappear/vanish off the face of the earth

1. to disappear completely完全消失；消逝得无影无踪
   • Keep looking—they can't just have vanished off the face of the earth.继续找，他们不可能就从此消失得无影无踪的。

do something till you are blue in the face

1. (informal) to try to do something as hard and as long as you possibly can but without success徒然拼命地干；徒劳无功
   • You can argue till you're blue in the face, but you won't change my mind.你可以费尽口舌，但改变不了我的主意。
   Topics Difficulty and failurec2

somebody’s face fits/doesn’t fit

1. (British English) used to say that somebody will/will not get a particular job or position because they have/do not have the appearance, personality, etc. that the employer wants, even when this should not be important长相不合格；性格不合适
   • If your face fits, you'll get the job.如果您的脸庞合适，您将得到这份工作。
   • It doesn't matter how well qualified you are; if your face doesn't fit, you don't stand a chance.资历多好也没用，如果人家看你不顺眼，你就不会有机会。

somebody’s face is like thunder | somebody has a face like thunder

1. somebody looks very angry某人怒气冲冲；某人满面怒容
   • Mr Hibbs came in with a face like thunder.希布斯先生面带怒容走了进来。
   Topics Appearancec2, Feelingsc2

face to face (with somebody)

1. close to and looking at somebody（与某人）面对面
   • The two have never met face to face before.两个人过去从未见过面。
   • The room fell silent as she came face to face with the man who had tried to kill her.当她与试图杀死她的男人面对面时，房间里一片寂静。

face to face with something

1. in a situation where you have to accept that something is true and deal with it面对某种处境
   • She was at an early age brought face to face with the horrors of war.她年幼时就面临战争的恐怖。

face up/down

1. (of a person人) with your face and stomach facing upwards/downwards面朝上／朝下
   • She lay face down on the bed.她俯卧在床上。
2. with the front part or surface facing upwards/downwards正面朝上／朝下；表面冲上／冲下
   • Place the card face up on the pile.把纸牌正面朝上放在这一叠的上面。
   • She placed the cards face down on the table.她把牌反扣在桌上。

fall flat on your face

1. to fall so that you are lying on your front摔趴下
2. to fail completely, usually in an embarrassing way（颜面丢尽地）彻底失败
   • His next television venture fell flat on its face.他的下一个电视项目丢人现眼，彻底失败了。
   Topics Difficulty and failurec2

feed your face

1. (informal, usually disapproving) to eat a lot of food or too much food大吃一顿；吃得过饱

fly in the face of something

1. to oppose or be the opposite of something that is usual or expected悍然不顾；公然违抗；与…相悖
   • Such a proposal is flying in the face of common sense.这个建议违反常识。

have the face to do something

1. (British English, informal) to do something that other people think is rude or shows a lack of respect, without feeling embarrassed or ashamed居然有脸干某事；恬不知耻做某事
   • I don't know how you have the face to complain after everything they've done for you!我不知道他们为您做完所有事情后，您将如何面对！

have/be left with egg on/all over your face

1. (informal) to be made to look stupid使显得愚蠢；出丑；丢脸
   • They were left with egg on their faces when only ten people showed up.只有十人到场，他们感到很丢面子。

in somebody’s face

1. (informal) annoying somebody by criticizing them or telling them what to do all the time批评某人，支使某人（使人恼火）
   • Why are you always in my face?你为什么总是在我的脸上？

in the face of something

1. despite problems, difficulties, etc.即使面对（问题、困难等）
   • She showed great courage in the face of danger.面对危险她表现出了巨大的勇气。
   • The campaign continued in the face of great opposition.面对强烈反对，战役仍在继续。
2. as a result of something由于；因为
   • He was unable to deny the charges in the face of new evidence.面对新的证据，他无法否认这些指控。

laugh in somebody’s face

1. to show in a very obvious way that you have no respect for somebody当面嘲笑；公然蔑视

laugh on the other side of your face

1. (British English, informal) to be forced to change from feeling pleased or satisfied to feeling disappointed or annoyed转喜为忧；得意变成失意；笑脸变为苦脸
   • He’ll be laughing on the other side of his face when he reads my letter.读我的信时，他会在另一侧大笑。

(pull, wear, etc.) a long face

1. (to have) an unhappy or disappointed expression闷闷不乐；哭丧着脸；愁眉苦脸
   • He took one look at her long face and said ‘What’s wrong?’他看着她的长脸说：“怎么了？”
   • The news for the company isn't good, judging from the long faces in the boardroom.从董事会上人们拉长的脸可以看出，对公司来说这不是个好信息。

look somebody in the eye(s)/face

1. (usually used in negative sentences and questions通常用于否定句和疑问句) to look straight at somebody without feeling embarrassed or ashamed（坦然或问心无愧地）直视某人，正视某人
   • Can you look me in the eye and tell me you're not lying?你能问心无愧地看着我说你没撒谎吗？
   • She looked her father straight in the eye and answered his question truthfully.她直视着父亲的眼睛，诚实地回答了他的问题。
   • I'll never be able to look her in the face again!我再也不能坦然地面对她了！

lose face

1. to be less respected or look stupid because of something you have done丢脸；失面子
   • Many leaders don't want to lose face by admitting failures.许多领导人不想因失败而丢脸。

loss of face

1. the state of being less respected by other people or looking stupid because of something you have done丢脸；失面子
   • Failure to pass the exams means a massive loss of face for the students and their parents.考试不及格，将给学生及其父母带来巨大的面子。

not just a pretty face

1. (humorous) used to emphasize that you have particular skills or qualities并非徒有其表；不止脸蛋漂亮
   • ‘I didn't know you could play the piano.’ ‘I'm not just a pretty face, you know!’“我不知道你还会弹钢琴呢。” “我可不止是脸蛋儿漂亮，对吧！”

on the face of it

1. used to say that something seems to be good, true, etc. but that this opinion may need to be changed when you know more about it表面上看
   • On the face of it, it seems like a great deal.表面上看来好像很多。
   • What may, on the face of it, seem obvious often turns out to be far more complicated.从表面上看，似乎显而易见的东西往往变得更加复杂。
   Topics Opinion and argumentc2

(as) plain as a pikestaff | (as) plain as day | (as) plain as the nose on your face

1. very obvious一清二楚；一目了然；显而易见

pull/make faces/a face (at somebody)

1. to produce an expression on your face to show that you do not like somebody/something or in order to make somebody laugh（对某人）耷拉着脸，板着脸，做鬼脸
   • What are you pulling a face at now?你干吗板着脸？
   • Do you think it’s funny to make faces behind my back?你觉得在我背后做鬼脸有趣吗？
   Extra Examples

   • She made a disgusted face at that and walked away.她摆出一副厌恶的表情，走开了。
   • She made a funny face and gave a snorting sort of laugh.她做了个鬼脸，扑哧一声笑了。
   Topics Appearancec2

put your face on

1. (informal) to put on make-up化妆

put on a brave face | put a brave face on something

1. to pretend that you feel confident and happy when you do not强装自信快乐；佯装满不在乎
   • I had to put on a brave face and try to show him that I wasn’t worried.我不得不装出若无其事的样子，在他面前尽量不露出愁容。
   • She put a brave face on her illness.她为自己的病勇敢面对。

save (somebody’s) face

1. to avoid or help somebody avoid being embarrassed（使）保全面子
   • She was fired, but she saved face by telling everyone she'd resigned.她被解雇了，但她爱面子，逢人便说是她辞职了。

set your face against somebody/something

1. (especially British English) to be determined to oppose somebody/something坚决反对某人／事物
   • Her father had set his face against the marriage.她的父亲坚决反对这门亲事。

show your face

1. to appear among your friends or in public露面；公开见人
   • She stayed at home, afraid to show her face.她待在家里，不敢露面。

shut/slam the door in somebody’s face

1. to shut a door hard when somebody is trying to come in将某人拒之门外；让某人吃闭门羹
2. to refuse to talk to somebody or meet them, in a rude way拒绝同某人谈话；拒绝见某人

shut your mouth/face!

1. (slang) a rude way of telling somebody to be quiet or stop talking（粗暴地要某人停止说话）住口，闭嘴

a slap in the face

1. an action that seems to be intended as a deliberate way of offending and showing lack of respect for somebody一记耳光；侮辱；打击
   • The closure of the school is a slap in the face to the local community.学校的关闭对当地社区来说不啻是一个打击。

a straight face

1. if you keep a straight face, you do not laugh or smile, although you find something funny 绷着的脸；忍着不笑的脸see also straight-faced

to somebody’s face

1. if you say something to somebody’s face, you say it to them directly rather than to other people当着某人的面
   • He’s a liar, and I’ve told him so to his face many times.他是个骗子，我已经多次告诉过他。
   compare behind somebody’s back

what’s his/her face

1. (informal) used to refer to a person whose name you cannot remember（指记不起姓名的人）叫…的人
   • Are you still working for what's her face?你还在为那个叫什么的女人干活？

wipe somebody/something off the face of the earth | wipe something off the map

1. to destroy or remove somebody/something completely使…从地球上消失；彻底消除

face

verb

 

/feɪs/

/feɪs/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they face	/feɪs/ /feɪs/
he / she / it faces	/ˈfeɪsɪz/ /ˈfeɪsɪz/
past simple faced	/feɪst/ /feɪst/
past participle faced	/feɪst/ /feɪst/
-ing form facing	/ˈfeɪsɪŋ/ /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/

Idioms Phrasal Verbs

jump to other results

be opposite面对

1.  
   [transitive, intransitive] to be opposite somebody/something; to have your face or front pointing towards somebody/something or in a particular direction面对；面向；正对
   • face somebody/something She turned and faced him.她转过身来面对着他。
   • Most of the rooms face the sea.多数房间朝海。
   • They face each other across the aisle.他们在过道对面。
   • face + adv./prep. The terrace faces south.露台朝南。
   • a north-facing wall面北的墙
   • a south-east-facing garden朝东南的花园
   • to face outwards/inwards/upwards/downwards朝外/朝内/朝上/朝下
   • Lie with your palms facing upwards.躺着，手掌朝上。
   • Which direction are you facing?你面朝哪个方向？
   Extra Examples

   • The flower turns its head to face the sun.花转头面对太阳。
   • The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition face each other across the dispatch box.总理和反对派领袖在派遣箱中相互面对。
   • They pray facing the east.他们朝东方祈祷。
   • Babies may prefer to be carried facing outwards.婴儿可能更喜欢朝外携带。
   • The seating plan had the benches facing inwards toward the central aisle.座位计划的长椅面向内，朝向中央通道。
   • The bedrooms face onto the courtyard.卧室面向庭院。
   • Stand with your feet apart and your hands facing upwards.两脚叉开站着，双手向上。
   • He lay on the ground, facing upwards.他躺在地面上，朝上。
   • A camera was attached to the ceiling facing downwards.摄像机朝下安装在天花板上。
   • The back rooms face north and can be cold.后面的房间朝北，可能会很冷。
   Topics Buildingsb1

somebody/something difficult难对付的人／事物

2.  
   [transitive] if you face a particular situation, or it faces you, you have to deal with it面临，必须对付（某情况）
   • face something Farmers face serious challenges in these conditions.农民在这些条件下面临严峻挑战。
   • We are facing a financial crisis.我们正面临一次财政[金融]危机。
   • to face charges/trial面对指控/审判
   • the problems faced by homeless people无家可归者面临的问题
   • The project faces numerous difficulties.该项目面临许多困难。
   • They face competition from foreign imports.他们面临来自国外进口的竞争。
   • She has faced criticism from some within her party.她已经受到党内一些人士的批评。
   • We look at the issues facing schools today.我们关注当今学校面临的问题。
   • the challenges/problems that face the country该国面临的挑战/问题
   • be faced with something We are faced with the prospect of defeat.我们面临失败的希望。
   Extra Examples

   • The party will have to change its policies to fit the new problems facing society.党必须改变政策，以适应社会面临的新问题。
   • These are just some of the challenges facing small businesses.这些只是小企业面临的一些挑战。
   • The main task facing the country is reconstruction after the war.该国面临的主要任务是战后重建。
   • We face the prospect of defeat.我们面临失败的希望。
   • They are facing the threat of redundancy.他们正面临裁员的威胁。
   • They are faced with the threat of redundancy.他们面临冗余的威胁。
   • The health service faces a crisis this winter.今年冬天，卫生服务部门面临危机。
   • The country is facing an obesity crisis.该国正面临肥胖危机。
   • We are faced with competition from young up-and-coming artists.我们面临着新锐艺术家的竞争。
   • The government faces strong opposition to the cuts.政府强烈反对削减开支。
   • The manager is facing a lot of pressure this season.经理本赛季面临很大压力。
   • Many believe the country faces a grim future.许多人认为中国面临严峻的未来。
   • I think they would feel differently if they were parents facing the same situation.我认为如果他们的父母面对同样的情况，他们会有不同的感觉。
   • Whatever happens, we'll face it together.无论发生什么事，我们都将面对。
   • We could all face higher fuel bills this winter.我们这个冬天免不了都要付更多的燃料费。
   • She's faced with a difficult decision.她眼前有一项难作的决定。
   • Several students now face expulsion.有几个学生现在面临被开除学籍的处分。
   • She could face charges of fraud.她可能会面临欺诈指控。
   • He is in custody facing criminal charges.他在拘留中面临刑事指控。
   • He was arrested and now faces a murder trial.他被捕，现在面临谋杀案审判。
   • It's unlikely she will ever face trial.她不太可能会面临审判。
   • They would have to take down the site or face heavy fines.他们将不得不撤下该场地或面临巨额罚款。
   • If convicted, he faces the death penalty.如果被定罪，他将面临死刑。
   • On their journey across the desert they faced danger of all sorts.他们在穿越沙漠的旅途中应对了各种危险。
3.  
   [transitive] face something to accept that a difficult situation exists, although you would prefer not to承认，正视（现实）
   • It's time to face reality—we failed.现在该面对现实了-我们失败了。
   • It's not always easy to face the truth.承认事实并不总是一件容易的事。
   • I did something wrong and I will face the consequences.我做错了事，我将面对后果。
   • She had to face the fact that her life had changed forever.她得正视她的生活已永远改变了这一事实。
   • Face facts—she isn't coming back.面对现实吧，她不会回来了。
   • Let's face it, we're not going to win.我们得承认，我们赢不了啦。
   Extra Examples

   • The company was forced to face reality—there was no market for the product.该公司被迫面对现实-该产品没有市场。
   • He wanted his son to face the harsh realities of life.他希望儿子面对严酷的现实生活。
   • They refuse to face the fact that this isn't going to work.他们拒绝面对这样的事实，那就是行不通。
   • You need to face the fact that she doesn't love you.您需要面对她不爱你的事实。
   • It's time to forget the past and face the future.现在该忘记过去，面对未来了。
   • She doesn't seem able to face the situation.她似乎无法面对这种情况。
   • We have to face it that things are going to take a lot longer than we planned.我们必须面对的是，事情将比我们计划的要花费更长的时间。
   • Face it, nobody likes to be criticized.面对现实，没有人喜欢受到批评。
4.  
   [transitive] if you can’t face something unpleasant, you feel unable or unwilling to deal with it（感到不能）对付；（不愿）处理
   • face something I just can't face work today.我今天就是没法工作。
   • He wasn't able to face the washing up.他无法面对洗劫。
   • face doing something I can't face seeing them.我真不愿意见到他们。
   • She could never face arguing with him.她永远也不会和他吵架。
   Extra Examples

   • I'd go, but I can't face getting up so early.我愿意，但是我不能这么早起床。
   • She couldn't face her exercise class this morning.她今天早上不能参加体育课。
   • Some people just can't face parties.有些人无法面对派对。
   • I was planning to clean the car, but I can't face it.我本来打算清洗汽车，但我不能面对它。
   • I don't know how I'm going to be able to face telling them.我不知道该如何面对他们。
   • I just couldn't face doing it all again.我忍不住要再做一遍。
   • How can you face cleaning all that up?您如何面对所有这些？
5. [transitive] face somebody to talk to or deal with somebody, even though this is difficult or unpleasant（明知不好办而）交谈，应付
   • How can I face Tom? He'll be so disappointed.我怎样才能和汤姆谈呢？他会很失望的。

cover surface覆盖表面

6. [transitive, usually passive] to cover a surface with another material（以另一物）覆盖表面
   • (be) faced with something a brick building faced with stone石料贴面的砖建筑物
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, based on Latin facies ‘form, appearance, face’.

Idioms

face the music

1. (informal) to accept and deal with criticism or punishment for something you have done接受批评（或惩罚）
   • The others all ran off, leaving me to face the music.其他人都跑掉了，留下我来挨罚。

face

noun
1 she has a beautiful face
COUNTENANCE , physiognomy, profile, features; informal mug, kisser, clock; Brit. informal mush, dial, phizog, phiz; Brit. rhyming slang boat race; Scottish & Irish informal coupon; N. Amer. informal puss, pan; poetic/literary visage, lineaments; archaic front. facial, physiognomical.

2 her face grew sad again
EXPRESSION , facial expression, look, appearance, air, manner, bearing, countenance, guise, cast, aspect, impression; formal mien.

3 he made a face at the sourness of the drink
GRIMACE , scowl, wry face, wince, frown, glower, smirk, pout, moue.

4 a cube has six faces
SIDE , aspect, flank, vertical, surface, plane, facet, wall, elevation; front, frontage, facade; slope.

5 the face of a watch
DIAL , display.

6 a number of dramatic events changed the face of the industry
(OUTWARD) APPEARANCE , aspect, air, nature, image.

7 he put on a brave face for his audience
FRONT , show, display, act, appearance, false front, facade, exterior, guise, mask, masquerade, pretence, charade, pose, illusion, smokescreen, veneer, camouflage.

8 criticism, if it is to be constructive, should never cause the recipient to lose face
RESPECT , honour, esteem, regard, admiration, approbation, acclaim, approval, favour, appreciation, popularity, estimation, veneration, awe, reverence, deference, recognition, prestige, standing, status, dignity, glory, kudos, cachet, image; self-respect, self-esteem, self-image.

9 (informal) they had the face to upbraid others
EFFRONTERY , audacity, nerve, gall, brazenness, brashness, shamelessness; defiance, boldness, temerity, impudence, impertinence, insolence, presumption, presumptuousness, forwardness, cheek, cheekiness; impoliteness, unmannerliness, bad manners, rudeness; informal brass, brass neck, neck, cockiness; Brit. informal sauce; Scottish informal snash; N. Amer. informal sass, sassiness, chutzpah; informal, dated hide; Brit. informal, dated crust.
face to face the two men stood face to face | she came face to face with the rioters
FACING (EACH OTHER) , confronting (each other), opposite (each other), across from each other, opposing (each other), in conflict (with each other); informal eyeball to eyeball (with).
on the face of it on the face of it, the government's decision is the height of folly
OSTENSIBLY , to the casual eye, at face value, to all appearances, from appearances, to go/judge by appearances, to all intents and purposes, at first glance, on the surface, superficially;
APPARENTLY , seemingly, evidently, outwardly, it seems (that), it would seem (that), it appears (that), it would appear (that), as far as one knows, as far as one can see/tell, by all accounts, so it seems; so the story goes, so I'm told, so it appears/seems, so it would appear/seem; allegedly, supposedly, reputedly.

verb
1 the hotel faces the sea
LOOK OUT ON , front on to, look towards, be facing, have/afford/command a view of, look over/across, open out over, look on to, overlook, give on to, give over, be opposite (to).
-opposite(s): BACK ON TO.

2 you'll just have to face facts | we should be strong enough to face up to the situation
ACCEPT , come to accept, become reconciled to, reconcile oneself to, reach an acceptance (of), get used to, become accustomed to, adjust to, accommodate oneself to, acclimatize oneself to; learn to live with, cope with, deal with, come to terms with, get to grips with, become resigned to, make the best of; confront, meet head-on.
-opposite(s): DODGE.

3 he is likely to face a humiliating rejection
BE CONFRONTED BY , be faced with, encounter, experience, come into contact with, run into, come across, meet, come up against, be forced to contend with.

4 those are the problems that face our police force
BESET , worry, distress, cause trouble to, trouble, bother, be in someone's way, confront, burden; harass, oppress, vex, irritate, exasperate, strain, stress, tax; torment, plague, blight, bedevil, rack, smite, curse, harrow; rare discommode.

5 though unprepared for such a challenge, he faced it boldly
BRAVE , face up to, encounter, meet, meet head-on, confront, dare, defy, oppose, resist, withstand.
-opposite(s): SUCCUMB TO.

6 usu. be faced with a low, curving wall faced with flint
COVER , clad, veneer, skin, overlay, surface, dress, pave, put a facing on, laminate, inlay, plate, coat, line.

face
see
 ⇨ DEAL WITH 5
 ⇨ OPPOSITE 6
 ⇨ PLAY A GAME OR SPORT 2
 ⇨ SURFACE 1
     • • •
• ⇨ be staring sb in the face
• ⇨ be written all over sb's face
• ⇨ can't look sb in the face/not be able to look sb in the face
• ⇨ cut off your nose to spite your face
• ⇨ egg on your face
• ⇨ fall flat on your face
• ⇨ keep a straight face
• ⇨ let's face it
• ⇨ lose face
• ⇨ on the face of it
• ⇨ put on a brave face/put up a brave front
• ⇨ sb's face lights up
• ⇨ till you're blue in the face
• ⇨ to sb's face
• ⇨ turn your face away

face noun | verb

---

 1 
face / fes ; feIs /noun C
1. FRONT OF YOUR HEAD 头部的正面, the front part of your head, where your eyes, nose, and mouth are脸，面部:

•She had a beautiful face.她有一张漂亮的脸蛋。

•Her face was white with fear.她吓得脸煞白。

•A big smile spread across his face.他的脸上绽开了笑容。

•I could see from the look on her face that something was wrong.从她脸上的表情我可以看出事情不对劲。

•I felt like punching him in the face.我真想给他脸上来一拳。

► Something is on someone's face, not in their face. 表示“某物在某人脸上”时用 on，不用 in:

•You've got a mark on your face.你脸上有块污渍。

2. EXPRESSION 表情, an expression on someone's face面部表情; 脸色
a long face ( = an unhappy expression )拉长的脸
pull / make a face ( = change your expression to make people laugh or to show you are angry, disappointed etc )做鬼脸; 板着脸
a blank face ( = an expression that shows you do not know or recognize something )茫然的表情
a face like thunder ( = a very angry expression )一张雷公脸
sb's face lights up / brightens ( = they start to look happy )某人的脸色亮起来
sb's face falls ( = they start to look unhappy )某人的脸沉了下来
sb's face darkens ( = they start to look angry or threatening )某人的脸黑了下来
see sth in sb's face在某人脸上看出某事
show in sb's face表现在某人脸上
sth is written all over sb's face ( = something is obvious from someone's expression )某事写在某人的脸上
you should have seen his / her face spoken ( = used to say that someone was very angry, surprised etc )你真该看看他/她的脸色〔用于表示某人极其生气、吃惊等〕
the look / expression on sb's face某人脸上的表情
a smile / grin / frown etc on sb's face某人脸上的微笑/笑容/皱眉等表情

•the children's happy faces孩子们幸福的面容

•I'll never forget my father's face – I'd never seen him so upset before.我永远也忘不了父亲的表情 — 我以前从没见他那么难过。

•What's the long face for?为什么拉着一张脸？

•Emma was making faces at me through the window.埃玛透过窗子冲着我做鬼脸。

•Judging from her blank face , I'd say she didn't know what we were talking about.从她茫然的表情来看，我觉得她不知道我们在谈些什么。

•Mr Neeson came striding towards us with a face like thunder .尼森先生绷着一张雷公脸，大步朝我们走来。

•David's face lit up when I mentioned her name.我提到她的名字，戴维的脸色就亮了起来。

•Her face fell and I thought she might burst into tears.她的脸沉了下来，我想她可能会突然大哭起来。

•Tom's face darkened and he turned angrily on Sam.汤姆脸色一黑，怒气冲冲地转向萨姆。

•They were glad he was there. He could see it in their faces .他们很高兴他的到来，他可以从他们的脸上看到这一点。

•The disappointment was written all over his face .他的脸上写满了失望。

•You should have seen Gary's face when I told him I was resigning.我对加里说要辞职的时候你真该看看他的脸色。

•He had a surprised, slightly puzzled look on his face .他脸上有种惊讶且略带迷惑的表情。

•Sally watched him with a smile on her face .萨莉面带微笑看着他。

3. keep a straight face to not laugh or smile, even though something is funny绷着脸忍住不笑
4. pale-faced / round-faced etc having a face that has a particular shape or colour脸色苍白的/脸圆圆的等:

•a pale-faced youth脸色苍白的年轻人

⇒RED-FACED
5. grim-faced / serious-faced etc showing a particular expression on your face表情严峻的/严肃的等:

•Negotiators emerged grim-faced after the day's talks.经过一天的谈判之后，谈判者表情严峻地走了出来。

⇒BAREFACED,PO-FACED,POKER-FACED,STONY-FACED
6. PERSON 人, a person人:
new / different face ( = someone who you have not seen before )新面孔

•There are a few new faces in class this year.今年班上来了几个新面孔。

•Gordon is a familiar face (=someone who you know or have seen many times before) at the Shrewsbury Flower Show.戈登是什鲁斯伯里花展上的老面孔了。

•It's the same old faces (=people who you see often, especially too often) at our meetings every week.我们每周开会都是些老面孔。

famous / well-known face ( = someone who is famous from television, magazines, films etc )名人

•She looked around at the sea of faces (=lots of people seen together) in the cafeteria.她环顾餐厅里的一张张面孔。

7. face to face
a. if two people are standing face to face, they are very close and are looking at each other面对面地:
meet sb / talk to sb / explain sth etc face to face ( = to meet someone and talk to them, instead of just hearing about them, talking to them on the phone etc )当面见某人/与某人说话/解释某事等

•I've never met her face to face.我从来没有和她见过面。

•'You could have just phoned.' 'I wanted to explain things face to face.'“打个电话就可以嘛。”“我想当面解释。”

come face to face / find yourself face to face with sb ( = to meet someone, especially in a way that surprises or frightens you )迎面碰上某人〔尤指感到吃惊或害怕〕

•At that moment he came face to face with Sergeant Burke.那个时候他迎面碰上了伯克中士。

•The two men stood face to face without a word.那两个人面对面站着，一言不发。

b. if you come face to face with something difficult, you experience it and have to deal with it面对，面临〔困难〕:

•It was the first time he'd ever come face to face with death.这是他第一次面对死亡。

bring sb face to face with sth

•Sometimes one is brought face to face with facts which cannot be ignored.有时候，一个人得面对一些不能忽视的事实。

⇒FACE-TO-FACE
8. say sth / tell sb sth to their face if you say something unpleasant to someone's face, you say it to them directly, rather than to other people当面说某事/告诉某人某事:

•I told him to his face just what I thought of him.我当面告诉了他我对他的看法。

9. face down / downwards with the face or front towards the ground脸朝下，面朝下:

•Keith was lying face down on the bed.基思俯卧在床上。

10. face up / upwards with the face or front towards the sky脸朝上，面朝上:

•The body was lying face up in the rain.尸体仰面朝天躺在雨中。

11. in the face of sth in a situation where there are many problems, difficulties, or dangers面对问题（困难，危险）:

•It is amazing how Daniels has survived in the face of such strong opposition from within the party.丹尼尔斯面对党内那么强烈的反对还是挺了过来，真不简单。

12. on the face of it used to say that something seems true but that you think there may be other facts about it which are not yet clear从表面上看:

•It looks, on the face of it, like a minor change in the regulations.从表面上看这好像是规章制度上一个小小的改动。

•On the face of it, his suggestion makes sense.表面上看他的建议是合乎情理的。

13. the face of sth
a. the nature or character of an organization, industry, system etc, and the way it appears to people某事物的本质（特征）:

•technology that has changed the face of society改变了社会面貌的工程技术

•Is this the new face of the Tory party?这就是英国保守党的新面貌吗？

the ugly / unacceptable / acceptable face of sth ( = the qualities of an organization, industry etc which people find unacceptable or acceptable )某事物丑陋的/不可接受的/可接受的一面

•the unacceptable face of capitalism资本主义不可接受的一面

b. the general appearance of a particular place某个地方的外观:

•the changing face of the landscape不断变化的地貌

14. MOUNTAIN / CLIFF 山/悬崖, the face of a mountain, cliff etc is a steep vertical surface or side〔山、悬崖等的〕正面; 坡面:
[+ of ]

•He fell and died while attempting to climb the north face of Mont Blanc.他在攀登勃朗峰北坡的时候坠落身亡。

•The cliff face was starting to crumble into the sea.崖面开始崩裂坠入大海。

•a sheer (=very steep) rock face 陡直的岩面

15. CLOCK 钟, the front part of a clock or watch, where the numbers and hands are钟面
⇒picture atWATCH²
16. lose face if you lose face, you do something which makes you seem weak, stupid etc, and which makes people respect you less丢脸，失面子:

•He doesn't want to back down (=accept defeat in an argument) and risk losing face.他不想认输失面子。

17. save face if you do something to save face, you do it so that people will not lose their respect for you保全面子:

•Both countries saved face with the compromise.有了这个妥协方案，两个国家都保全了面子。

18. disappear / vanish from / off the face of the earth used to say that you have no idea where someone is and have not seen them in a very long time从地球上消失〔用于表示不知道某人在哪里，长久没有见到他们〕:

•I haven't seen Paul in ages; he seems to have vanished off the face of the earth.我很久没见到保罗了，他好像已经从地球上消失了。

19. on the face of the earth used when you are emphasizing a statement to mean 'in the whole world'天底下，世界上〔用于强调〕:

•If she was the last woman on the face of the earth, I still wouldn't be interested!就算天底下只剩她一个女人我也不感兴趣！

20. sb's face doesn't fit used to say that someone will not get or keep a particular job because they are not the kind of person that the employer wants某人不合适〔某一职位〕
21. set your face against sth especially BrEto be very determined that something should not happen坚决反对某事:

•The local Labour Party has set its face against the scheme.当地的工党坚决反对这个计划。

22. MINE 矿井, the part of a mine from which coal, stone etc is cut采掘面，工作面
⇒COALFACE
23. OUTSIDE SURFACE 外表, one of the outside surfaces of an object or building〔物体或建筑物的〕面; 表面:

•A cube has six faces.立方体有六个面。

24. SPORT 体育运动, the part of a RACKET or BAT etc that you use to hit the ball〔球拍的〕拍面
25. in your face; in yer face BrE spokeninformal behaviour, criticisms, remarks etc that are in your face are very direct and often shocking or surprising〔行为、批评、评论等〕当面，直截了当的，不留情面的:

•Bingham has a very 'in your face' writing style.宾厄姆文笔非常犀利。

26. get in sb's face spoken informalif someone gets in your face, they really annoy you惹某人生气
27. get out of my face spoken informalused to tell someone in an impolite way to go away because they are annoying you滚开
28. what's his face / what's her face spoken informalused as a way of talking about someone when you cannot remember their name那个叫什么名字的人:

•I saw old what's his face in school yesterday.我昨天在学校里见到了那个老什么来着。

29. put your face on informalto put MAKE-UP on化妆:

•I just need to run upstairs and put my face on.我需要上楼去化一下妆。

⇒blow up in sb's face atBLOW UP(7)
⇒put on a brave face at BRAVE¹ (3)
⇒do sth till you're blue in the face at BLUE¹ (4)
⇒have egg on your face at EGG¹ (5)
⇒fly in the face of at FLY¹ (18)
⇒laugh in sb's face at LAUGH¹ (11)
⇒long face at LONG¹ (12)
⇒not just a pretty face at PRETTY² (4)
⇒show your face at SHOW¹ (15)
⇒shut your face at SHUT¹ (2)
⇒a slap in the face at SLAP² (2)
⇒be staring sb in the face atSTARE¹ (2);
⇒a straight face at STRAIGHT² (8)
⇒wipe sth off the face of the earth at WIPE¹ (8)
⇒wipe the smile / grin off sb's face at WIPE¹ (7)
⇒have sth written all over your face at WRITE(10)

---

 2 
faceverb T
1. DIFFICULT SITUATION 困难的局面, if you face or are faced with a difficult situation, or if a difficult situation faces you, it is going to affect you and you must deal with it面临，面对:

•Emergency services are facing additional problems this winter.今年冬天，应急服务机构面临更多问题。

•The President faces the difficult task of putting the economy back on its feet.总统面临着恢复经济的艰巨任务。

•McManus is facing the biggest challenge of his career.麦克马纳斯正面临着他事业上的最大挑战。

•As the project comes to an end, many workers now face an uncertain future .随着工程结束，许多工人现在前途未卜。

•He must face the prospect of financial ruin.他必须面对经济破产的可能性。

be faced with sth

•I was faced with the awful job of breaking the news to the girl's family.我面临一个头疼的任务，要向女孩的家人通报这一消息。

•the difficulties faced by the police警方面临的困难

•If he is found guilty, he faces up to 12 years in jail.他要是被判有罪的话将面临长达 12 年的刑期。

face charges / prosecution ( = have legal charges brought against you )面临指控/起诉

•He was the first member of the former government to face criminal charges.他是第一个面临刑事指控的前政府成员。

2. ADMIT A PROBLEM EXISTS 承认问题存在 also face up to sth, to accept that a difficult situation or problem exists, even though you would prefer to ignore it正视，面对
face the fact that面对…的事实
face facts面对现实
face the truth面对真相
(let's) face it spoken ( = used when saying something that is hard for someone to accept )（让我们）面对现实吧〔用于说别人难以接受或承认的话时〕

•Many couples refuse to face the fact that there are problems in their marriage.许多夫妻拒绝面对婚姻出现问题的事实。

•You've got to face facts , Rachel. You can't survive on a salary that low.你得面对现实，雷切尔，这么低的薪水是无法生活的。

•He had to face the awful truth that she no longer loved him.他不得不接受这个可怕的事实: 她已不再爱他。

•Face it , kid. You're never going to be a rock star.面对现实吧，孩子，你永远也成不了摇滚歌星的。

3. can't face if you can't face something, you feel unable to do it because it seems too unpleasant or difficult无法正视，无法面对:

•I don't want to go back to college – I just can't face it .我不想再回去上大学 — 我无法面对这事。

•I can't face the thought of going into town when it's this hot.这么热，我真不想去城里。

•She couldn't face the prospect of another divorce.她无法正视可能又要离婚的事实。

can't face doing sth

•He couldn't face driving all the way to Los Angeles.他不愿意一路开车到洛杉矶。

4. TALK / DEAL WITH SB 与某人交谈/打交道, to talk or deal with someone, when this is unpleasant or difficult for you面对〔某人〕:

•You're going to have to face him sooner or later.你迟早都要面对他的。

•I don't know how I'm going to face her after what happened.发生了这一切，我不知道如何面对她。

•The accident left her feeling depressed and unable to face the world (=be with people and live a normal life) .这起事故让她十分消沉，无法面对生活。

5. BE OPPOSITE 在对面, to be opposite someone or something, or to be looking or pointing in a particular direction面向，面朝:

•The two men stood facing each other, smiling.那两个人笑嘻嘻地面对面站着。

•When he turned to face her, he seemed annoyed.当他转身面对她时，他似乎生气了。

•Lunch is served on the terrace facing the sea.午餐安排在面对大海的露天平台上。

south-facing / west-facing etc

•a south-facing garden朝南的花园

face north / east etc

•The dining room faces east.餐厅朝东。

⇒box at FRONT¹
6. OPPONENT / TEAM 对手/参赛队, to play against an opponent or team in a game or competition与…比赛，迎战:

•Martinez will face Robertson in tomorrow's final.明天的决赛中马丁内斯将迎战罗伯逊。

7. face the music informalto accept criticism or punishment for something you have done〔为自己的所为〕接受批评（惩罚）
8. BUILDING 建筑物, be faced with stone / concrete etc a building that is faced with stone, CONCRETE etc has a layer of that material on its outside surfaces以石头/混凝土等砌面（抹面，覆盖）

---

 PHRASAL VERBS 

---

face sb ↔ down
especially AmEto deal in a strong and confident way with someone who opposes you〔用坚定和自信的方式〕压倒，挫败，慑服:

•Harrison successfully faced down the mob of angry workers.哈里森把那伙愤怒的工人压了下去。

---

face off
AmEto fight, argue, or compete with someone, or to get into a position in which you are ready to do this〔准备好〕战斗; 辩论; 比赛:

•The two candidates will face off in a televised debate on Friday.两位候选人将在周五的电视辩论上正面交锋。

---

face up to sth
to accept and deal with a difficult fact or problem勇于面对〔困难的事实或问题〕:

•They'll never offer you another job; you might as well face up to it .他们决不会再给你一份工作，你还是接受事实吧。

•She had to face up to the fact that he was guilty.她必须接受他有罪的事实。

face

I

verb
1
  ×: The house faces to a very busy road.
  √: The house faces a very busy road.
  ×: It faces to the Gulf of Mexico.
  √: It faces the Gulf of Mexico.
     • • •
face sb/sth (WITHOUT to ): 'The apartments facing the sea are more expensive.' 'They stood facing each other, but neither of them spoke.'
2
  ×: We now face with a totally different situation.
  √: We now face a totally different situation.
  √: We are now faced with a totally different situation.
     • • •
face a fact, problem or situation (WITHOUT with/up ): 'You'll have to face the problem sooner or later.' 'As a result of the drought, the people will face food shortages.' 'If found guilty, he faces life imprisonment.'
be faced with/by : 'As a police officer, I'm often faced with the task of breaking bad news to relatives.'

II

noun
1
  ×: I didn't like the silly smile in his face.
  √: I didn't like the silly smile on his face.
  ×: She always wears a lot of make-up in her face.
  √: She always wears a lot of make-up on her face.
     • • •
Someone has something on their face (NOT in ): 'You look like a ghost with all that powder on your face.' 'I could see from the look on her face that she wasn't interested.'
2
  ×: These problems are just two faces of the same coin.
  √: These problems are just two sides of the same coin.
     • • •
two sides of the same coin (= two ways of looking at the same situation): 'Unemployment and social unrest are basically two sides of the same coin.'

face ★★★★★

1．face 用作“面子”解是抽象名词，如 loss of face（失面子、丢脸）和 He lost (his) face as a result of a piece of double-dealing。

2．注意下面各句里的 face 前面都没有 a, the, his 等词：
He came back with face clouded.
He came back with smiling face.
He came back with dejected face.
He has aged in face.
Every one of them is known by face.
He was lying face downwards.
第一句里 face 前面可以加上 his。第二句和第三句里 smiling 和 dejected 前面可以加上 a。

3．“面向南”有几种不同的说法。例如：
The house faces south.
The house faces the south.
The house faces to the south.
The house faces on the south.
The house faces southwards.

4．face the difficulty 是“面对困难”，be faced with the difficulty 是“遇到困难”。

5．face up to the difficulty=face the difficulty，但比较不普通。

6．in face of 和 in the face of 相同，在英国通常不用 the。in (the) face of the known facts 是“面临着这些已知的事实”，“面临”是譬喻。in (the) face of the lake 是“面临着湖”，“面临”是直解。第二种用法只用在英国。

Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of English

face
noun

¹ front part of the head

ADJ. angelic, beautiful, handsome, lovely, pleasant, pretty, sweet | plain, ugly, terrible | colourless, grey, pale, pallid, white | flushed, pink, red, ruddy Her face was flushed after her run. | tanned | dark | sallow | heart-shaped, oval, round, square | bearded, freckled, unshaven | lined, wrinkled | pock-marked, raddled | fat, plump She had a plump, pretty face. | gaunt, haggard, lean, pinched, thin, wizened | craggy, rugged a craggy face with deep-set eyes and bushy brows | elfin Her short hair suited her elfin face. | painted | happy, smiling | tear-stained, tear-streaked | human

VERB + FACE tilt, turn She turned her face away. He tilted her face up to his.

FACE + VERB look, peer, stare A face peered round the door at him.

PREP. in the/sb's ~ The ball hit him in the face. His eyes were sunken in his gaunt face. | on the/sb's ~ She put some powder on her face.

PHRASES a sea of faces (= a large crowd of faces) From the stage, he looked down at a sea of faces.

² expression on sb's face

ADJ. animated, cheerful, friendly, grinning, happy, radiant, smiling | anxious, frightened, troubled | angry, furious | hard, set, stern His face was set and hard. | grave, serious | long, sad The news for the company isn't good, judging from the long faces in the boardroom. | funny She made a funny face and gave a snorting sort of laugh. | honest, kind | expectant | rapt | expressive, open She looked at the honest, open face of her husband. | blank, expressionless, impassive His face remained impassive, so strong was his self-control.

VERB + FACE make, pull What are you pulling a face at now? | search He searched her face for some clue as to what she meant.

FACE + VERB brighten, glow, light up Her little face lit up when I gave her the present. | beam, smile The face smiled benignly at him. | cloud, crumple, drop, fall Her face crumpled and she started crying. ‘I can't come,’ she said. His face fell. | clear His face cleared and she smiled back. | darken, harden, set Her face darkened with anger. His face set in grim lines. | soften The father's face softened as he hugged his little boy. | flame, flush, go red, redden Jack's face flushed with embarrassment. | pale Her face paled with fright. | contort, crease, pucker, tighten, twist Her face contorted in pain. | betray sth, reveal sth Her face betrayed no emotion at all.

PREP. on sb's ~ She had a big smile on her face.

PHRASES a face like thunder (= a very angry face) Mr Hibbs came in with a face like thunder.

³ front part/side of sth

ADJ. front, rear | North, South, etc. | steep We slowly climbed the steep face of the crag. | cliff, rock | clock

PHRASES face down/downwards, face up/upwards She placed the cards face downwards on the table.

⁴ person

ADJ. familiar, (same) old I looked around for a familiar face. I'm so bored with seeing the same old faces! | different, fresh, new, strange, unfamiliar | famous, well-known a restaurant where you often see famous faces

VERB + FACE see

⁵ particular character/aspect of sth

ADJ. human bureaucracy with a human face | acceptable | unacceptable Social deprivation is the unacceptable face of capitalism. | true | changing the changing face of Britain

facefacenoun1.■ front part of the head 脸[搭配]ADJ.angelic, beautiful, handsome, lovely, pleasant, pretty, sweet
天使般的面孔；漂亮的面孔；英俊的面孔；可爱的面孔plain, ugly, terrible
很普通的相貌；丑陋的面孔；可怕的面孔colourless, grey, pale, pallid, white
苍白的面孔；灰白的脸flushed, pink, red, ruddy
绯红的脸；粉嘟嘟的脸；红润的脸庞:Her face was flushed after her run. 她跑完步后满面通红。tanned
晒黑的脸dark
黝黑的脸sallow
蜡黄的脸heart-shaped, oval, round, square
心形脸；椭圆脸；圆脸；方脸bearded, freckled, unshaven
蓄胡须的脸；有雀斑的脸；胡子拉碴的脸lined, wrinkled
有皱纹的脸pock-marked
长满麻子的脸raddled
疲惫的脸fat, plump
胖的脸；丰满的脸:She had a plump, pretty face. 她有一张丰润可爱的脸。gaunt, haggard, lean, pinched, thin, wizened
憔悴的面孔；瘦削的面孔；干瘪的脸craggy, rugged
粗犷的面孔:a craggy face with deep-set eyes and bushy brows 一张粗犷的脸，眼睛深陷，眉毛浓密elfin
小巧精致的面孔:Her short hair suited her elfin face. 她留短发适合她那张小巧精致的脸。painted
涂脂抹粉的脸happy, smiling
快活的面容；笑脸tear-stained, tear-streaked
带泪痕的脸human
人脸[搭配]VERB + FACE tilt, turn
扳过脸；转过脸:She turned her face away. 她把脸转过去。He tilted her face up to his. 他扳过她的脸来对着自己。[搭配]FACE + VERB look, peer, stare
看；窥视；凝视:A face peered round the door at him. 门边有一张脸窥视他。[搭配]PREP.in the/sb’s ~
在某人的脸部:The ball hit him in the face. 球打到了他的脸上。His eyes were sunken in his gaunt face. 他面容憔悴，眼窝深陷。on the/sb’s ~
在某人脸上:She put some powder on her face. 她往脸上擦了些粉。[搭配]PHRASESa sea of faces
(= a large crowd of faces) 许多张脸:From the stage, he looked down at a sea of faces. 他从台上看去，台下一片人海。2.■ expression on sb’s face 表情[搭配]ADJ.animated, cheerful, friendly, grinning, happy, radiant, smiling
充满生气的脸；愉快的表情；友善的表情；笑脸；幸福的表情；容光焕发anxious, frightened, troubled
担忧的表情；受惊的表情；不平静的表情angry, furious
愤怒的表情hard, set, stern
严厉的表情；僵硬的表情:His face was set and hard. 他板着脸，很严厉的样子。grave, serious
严肃的表情long, sad
拉长的脸；愁眉苦脸:The news for the company isn’t good, judging from the long faces in the boardroom. 从会议室里人们拉长的脸可以看出，对公司来说这不是个好消息。funny
滑稽的表情:She made a funny face and gave a snorting of laugh. 她做了个滑稽的表情，哧哧地笑了。honest, kind
真诚的表情；和蔼的表情expectant
期待的表情rapt
全神贯注的表情expressive, open
表情丰富的脸；坦率的表情:She looked at the honest, open face of her husband. 她看丈夫真诚、坦率的脸。blank, expressionless, impassive
面无表情:His face remained impassive, so strong was his self-control. 他依然是面无表情，自控能力是如此之强。[搭配]VERB + FACE make, pull
扮鬼脸:What are you pulling a face at now? 你扮什么鬼脸啊？search
察言观色:He searched her face for some clue as to what she meant. 他仔细观察她的表情想弄明白她的意思。[搭配]FACE + VERB brighten, glow, light up
容光焕发:Her little face lit up when I gave her the present. 我给她礼物时，她的小脸上焕发出了光彩。beam, smile
面带微笑:The face smiled benignly at him. 这张脸亲切地朝他微笑。cloud, crumple, drop, fall
脸色阴沉；脸沉下来:Her face crumpled and she started crying. 她耷拉脸哭了起来。‘I can’t come,’ she said. His face fell. “我来不了， ”她说。他脸色一沉。clear
面色转睛:His face cleared and she smiled back. 他的面色转晴，她又对他报以微笑。darken, harden, set
脸色阴郁；表情变严峻:Her face darkened with anger. 因为生气，她脸色沉下来了。His face set in grim lines. 他表情阴沉严峻。soften
表情变得温和:The father’s face softened as he hugged his little boy. 父亲拥抱小儿子时，脸色和缓下来了。flame, flush, go red, redden
脸变红:Jack’s face flushed with embarrassment. 杰克窘得脸通红。pale
脸变苍白:Her face paled with fright. 她吓得脸都白了。contort, crease, pucker, tighten, twist
表情扭曲；脸皱起；脸紧绷:Her face contorted in pain. 她痛得脸都歪了。betray sth, reveal sth
表情掩盖不住…；面上流露…:Her face betrayed no emotion at all. 她的脸上看不出任何情绪。[搭配]PREP.on sb’s ~
在某人脸上:She had a big smile on her face. 她脸上带着灿烂的笑容。[搭配]PHRASESa face like thunder
(= a very angry face) 愤怒的脸:Mr Hibbs came in with a face like thunder. 希布斯先生面带怒容走了进来。3.■ front part/side of sth 正面[搭配]ADJ.front, rear
前面；后面North, South, etc.
北面、南面等steep
陡峭的表面:We slowly climbed the steep face of the crag. 我们缓慢地沿着悬崖峭壁往上爬。cliff, rock
悬崖表面；岩石表面clock
钟面[搭配]PHRASESface down/downwards
面朝下；face up/ upwards
面朝上:She placed the cards face downwards on the table. 她把牌反扣在桌上。4.■ person 人[搭配]ADJ.familiar, (same) old
熟悉的面孔； 老面孔:I looked around for a familiar face. 我环顾四周想找一个熟人。I’m so bored with seeing the same old faces! 我看到的都是些老面孔，真是烦人！different, fresh, new, strange, unfamiliar
不同的人；新面孔；陌生人；不熟悉的人famous, well-known
名人:a restaurant where you often see famous faces 一家你经常会看到名人的餐馆[搭配]VERB + FACE see
看到某人5.■ particular character/aspect of sth 特征；方面[搭配]ADJ.human
人性的一面:bureaucracy with a human face 有人情味的官僚机构acceptable
可接受的一面unacceptable
令人无法接受的方面:Social deprivation is the unacceptable face of capitalism. 社会贫困是资本主义令人不可接受的方面。true
真实的一面changing
变化中的特征:the changing face of Britain 不列颠变化中的特征

脸

脸