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Idiom |
Meaning |
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Change the face of something |
When an innovation, discovery or event
changes the face of
something, it alters it completely or in
a major way.
"Social networks have changed the face of modern communication." |
Face like a bulldog chewing
a wasp |
To say that someone has a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp
means that you find them very unattractive.
"Not only was he rude but he had a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp! |
| Face like thunder |
If someone has a face like thunder,
they look very angry.
"When Dad is really angry, he has a
face like thunder!" |
| Face like a wet weekend |
If someone has a face like a wet weekend,
they are wearing
a sad expression and look miserable.
"What's wrong with Pete? He's got a
face like a wet weekend." |
Face
only a mother could
love |
This is a humoristic way of saying that someone is ugly or
not attractive.
"The poor guy has a face only a mother could love." |
| Face that would stop a clock |
Someone who has a face that would stop a clock has a
shockingly
unattractive face.
"You'll recognize him - he's tall and thin, with a face that would stop
a clock!" |
|
Face the music |
If you have to face the music, you have
to accept the
unpleasant consequences of your actions.
"He was caught stealing. Now he has to face the music!" |
| Face
value |
If you take something at its face value, you assume that
it is
genuinely what it appears to be.
"The car seems to be in good condition, but don't take it at its
face value;
get a mechanic to check it out." |
| Blow
up in someone's face |
When working on a plan or project, if it suddenly goes wrong
or
fails, it blows up in your face.
"The trip was difficult to organize, but it blew up in his face
when
the airline company went on strike." |
|
Keep a straight face |
If you keep a straight face, you look
serious although
you really want to laugh. |
|
Poker
face |
Someone who has a poker face has an expressionless face that
shows
no emotion or reaction at all.
"He sat with a poker face all through the show, revealing nothing of his
thoughts." |
| Put
on a brave face |
When confronted with difficulties, if you put on a brave face,
you try to look cheerful and pretend that the situation is not as
bad as it is.
"Even at the worst of times she put on a brave face." |
|
Two-faced |
Someone who is two-faced is deceitful or
insincere; they will
say one thing to your face and another when you're not there.
"I don't trust Jack. I find him two-faced." |
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Cheek |
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Cheek by jowl |
When people are cheek by jowl, they are
crammed uncomfortably
close together
"The refugees are living cheek by jowl
in a temporary camp." |
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Chin |
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Take it on the chin |
When you take it on the chin, you are
brave and accept adversity,
criticism or defeat without
complaining.
"When his contract was not renewed, Mark took it on the chin." |
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