stare something in the facestare (something) in the face
to deal with something directly.
We have stared hatred and prejudice in the face and seen what they can do.
stare (someone or something) in the face
1. Literally, to make direct and uninterrupted eye contact with someone. She just walked up to the boss, stared him in the face, and asked for a raise! I could never do that!
2. To confront a situation or issue directly. The suffragettes stared injustice in the face and won the right to vote.
stare something in the ˈface
be unable to avoid something: They were staring defeat in the face.