face the facts

Meaning

To accept the truth about a situation, especially when it is difficult, disappointing, or unpleasant. It is often used to urge someone to stop denying reality.

Examples

• We need to face the facts: our current strategy isn't working.

  We need to face the facts: our current strategy isn't working.

• It's time to face the facts and admit that we can't afford this house.

  It's time to face the facts and admit that we can't afford this house.

• She refused to face the facts about her failing business.

  She refused to face the facts about her failing business.

• Eventually, you have to face the facts and move on with your life.

  Eventually, you have to face the facts and move on with your life.

• If they faced the facts, they would realize they need professional help.

  If they faced the facts, they would realize they need professional help.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ You must face to the facts.

  ✓ You must face the facts.

  'Face' is a transitive verb in this context and does not require the preposition 'to'.

• ✗ We need to look at the face of the facts.

  ✓ We need to face the facts.

  'Face' is the verb meaning 'to confront' in this idiom, not a noun.

Related Expressions

Practice

• You can't ignore this forever; eventually you have to ___.

  💡 Accept the difficult truth.

  Show answer

  face the facts

• It is hard to ___ when things don't go as planned.

  💡 Confront reality.

  Show answer

  face the facts