face-to-face

face-to-face  {adv. phr.}
1. With your face looking toward the face of another person; each facing the other.
Turning a corner, he found himself face-to-face with a policeman.
The two teams for the spelling bee stood face-to-face on opposite sides of the classroom.
The church and the school stand face-to-face across the street.
2. In the absence of another or others.
She was thrilled to meet the President face-to-face.
I have heard about him, but I never met him face-to-face.
Compare: IN PERSON.
3. To the point where you must do something. — Used with "with".
The solution of the first problem brought him face-to-face with a second problem.
Compare: UP AGAINST.
Categories: face-to-face {adv. phr.}