Phrasal verb
face up to
Definition
phrasal verb. to accept that a difficult or unpleasant situation exists and start dealing with it.
phrasal verb. to acknowledge and confront a challenging reality or responsibility that one might otherwise avoid.
Examples
“You need to face up to your problems.”
“After months of overspending, he finally had to face up to his growing debt.”
“The board of directors must face up to the fact that their current business model is no longer sustainable in the digital age.”
Examples
simple
“You need to face up to your problems.”
contextual
“After months of overspending, he finally had to face up to his growing debt.”
complex
“The board of directors must face up to the fact that their current business model is no longer sustainable in the digital age.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “face up to” in context.
Verb
01. bravely face up to the challenge
“She bravely faced up to the challenge of starting a new career at fifty.”
adv + verb
02. face up to the consequences
“If you break the law, you have to be prepared to face up to the consequences.”
verb + noun
03. face up to the fact that
“We need to face up to the fact that we are losing money every month.”
verb + that-clause
04. fail to face up to responsibilities
“The manager failed to face up to his responsibilities during the crisis.”
verb + infinitive
05. finally face up to the reality
“The company must finally face up to the reality that their product is outdated.”
adv + verb
06. refuse to face up to the truth
“He continues to refuse to face up to the truth about his financial situation.”
verb + infinitive
Usage
usually followed by a noun phrase representing a negative truth or a difficult responsibility.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'ignore' or 'avoid'; it implies a transition from denial to acceptance and action.
Pitfall
He faced up his mistakes.
He faced up to his mistakes.
the preposition 'to' is essential to complete the meaning of this three-part phrasal verb.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up to
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
face + up + to + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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