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stare (one) in the face

 - 1 dictionary result
stare   (stâr)   
v.   stared, star·ing, stares

v.   intr.

  1. To look directly and fixedly, often with a wide-eyed gaze. See Synonyms at gaze.

  2. To be conspicuous; stand out.

  3. To stand on end; bristle, as hair or feathers.

v.   tr.
To look at directly and fixedly: stared him in the eyes.
n.  An intent gaze.
Phrasal Verb(s):
stare downTo cause to waver or give in by or as if by staring.

Idiom(s):
stare (one) in the face

  1. To be plainly visible or obvious; force itself on (one's) attention: The money on the table was staring her in the face.

  2. To be obvious though initially overlooked: The explanation had been staring him in the face all along.

  3. To be imminent or unavoidable: Bankruptcy now stares us in the face.


[Middle English staren, from Old English starian; see ster-1 in Indo-European roots.]
star'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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