in the teeth of (something)
1. In spite of; notwithstanding. Some people still believe vaccinations to be harmful in the teeth of thousands of scientific studies proving otherwise. In the teeth of the boss's disapproval, we decided to go forward with the project anyway.
2. When threatened by or confronted with. It's hard to be an optimist in the teeth of so much tragedy and turmoil in the news each day. The plane turned into the teeth of a horrible storm.
(do something) in the teeth of danger, opposition, etc.
(do something) when or even though it is dangerous or people oppose it, etc: The new law was passed in the teeth of strong opposition.They crossed the Atlantic in the teeth of a force 10 wind.