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"To face off" is to confront; in other words, to meet face-to-face with someone in a situation in which a fight or argument is expected.

"Local young men faced off with strangers from the city."

Throughout our lives, there are many occasions in which we have to "face up" to a difficult situation; or to be exact, to accept it and deal with it.

"Kate finds it hard to face up to the fact that she cannot make her children live the life she has always wanted them to."

The other day I got home and pride was written all over my son's face; he got all As in his exam. When we say that an emotion is "written all over someone's face", it shows clearly their feeling at that moment.

"Charles saw his father coming home with bitterness written all over his face; he knew something bad must have had happened."

"Jane dashed back home with happiness written all over her face; she had just won a scholarship."    

Have you ever "wiped the smile off someone's face"? Sometimes the evil side of me makes me do it, especially with someone who is annoying me because they think they are very clever. When I "wipe the smile off their face" I make them less happy and confident.

"The precise information in this report will definitely wipe the smile off his face."

Another expression, to "disappear/wipe off the face of the earth", means to make something disappear completely.

"Although sightings of the Tasmanian tiger have been reported numerous times, they might have already disappeared off the face of the earth."

There are still a few more expressions about "face" but before we go to far, let's explore the meaning of "fresh" used in the above news headline.

Everybody enjoys fresh vegetables and fruits because they are picked not long ago from a farm, but "fresh" also describes a further thing, or further amount of something, which replaces or adds to the original one; "another" to be precise. It can also be used to mean "new" or "different" depending on the context.

"It was very hot and we filled our glasses with fresh (another) drinks."

"Even after a reconciliation, there was a report of a fresh (another, new) conflict among the newly elected MPs."

"Let's forgive and forget and make a fresh (new) start."

 

Complete the sentences using the expressions explained:

1. My refusal to accept his invitation will … .

2. The anti-government supporters … with policemen from the riot control unit in front of the Parliament House.

3. Heath decided to take less work and was quite prepared to … the loss of income.

4. From archaeological evidence this species seemed to have … about 2,000 years ago.

5. This set of figures is outdated; I'll give you a … one before lunchtime.

Answers: 1. wipe the smile off his face, 2. faced off, 3. face up to, 4. disappeared/been wiped off the face of the earth, 5. fresh

By Parnsap Yomanage