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in the face of — despite; when confronted with something difficult or challenging

Part of speech: PREPOSITION

Definition: despite; when confronted with something difficult or challenging

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪn ðə feɪs ʌv/

Example Sentences

  • My friend kept eating pizza in the face of his diet plan.
  • The company continued its expansion in the face of economic challenges.
  • He maintained his optimism in the face of repeated failures.

in the face of

PREPOSITION

[/ɪn ðə feɪs ʌv/]

despite; when confronted with something difficult or challenging

despite; when confronted with something difficult or challenging
💡 Concept

despite; when confronted with something difficult or challenging

In the face of the storm, she wins the race and claims her place!
🎵 Rhyme

In the face of the storm, she wins the race and claims her place!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɪn ðə feɪs ʌv/
🇬🇧 UK/ɪn ðə feɪs ʌv/

🌳Etymology

Origin

The phrase 'in the face of' derives from the Latin 'facies' (appearance, face), which evolved through Old French 'face' into Middle English. The idiom developed from the literal sense of 'facing something directly' to the figurative meaning of 'confronting or opposing a challenge or adversity'.

Breakdown

face (from Latin facies, meaning appearance or countenance) + in (preposition indicating position or circumstance) + of (preposition indicating relation or proximity), forming a prepositional phrase that conveys confrontation with or opposition to a situation.

🎵Rhyme

face
place
race
case

🔗Collocations

in the face of adversity
in the face of criticism
in the face of danger
in the face of opposition
in the face of uncertainty

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My friend kept eating pizza in the face of his diet plan.”

“The company continued its expansion in the face of economic challenges.”

“He maintained his optimism in the face of repeated failures.”

😄 Fun example

“She smiled in the face of her boss's Monday morning grumpiness.”

📚Related Words

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