Phrasal verb
Face up to something
What does 'face up to' mean?
'Face up to something' means accepting an unpleasant fact, problem, or responsibility honestly. For example, Mia must face up to her mistake in the report. The phrase shows acceptance, not necessarily a solution: someone may acknowledge a difficult situation while still deciding what action to take. Keep the problem after 'up to'.
Key points
- Use 'face up to' for difficult acceptance.
- The object comes after the complete phrase.
- Only 'face' changes to show tense.
- Acceptance does not prove the problem is solved.
Can you use "Face up to something" yourself?
This lesson has 5 stages. You can stop at any time and continue later.
Stage 1 of 5
Understand
What it means, when to use it, and mistakes to avoid.
The full explanation
Face up to means to accept an unpleasant fact, problem, or responsibility honestly. The person may still dislike the situation or feel unsure about what to do next.
We need to face up to the cost of moving.
Why it works: The cost is an uncomfortable reality that needs honest attention.
2 more examples
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Rosa faced up to the fact that her apartment was too small.
The fact that introduces the full idea she accepted.
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I chose the wrong size, and I have to face up to it.
It refers to the mistake and comes after the complete phrase.
Read the full guide
Use face up to when acceptance is difficult
Rosa works at her kitchen table. Each evening, she moves her papers so she can eat. She knows there is little space, yet she keeps saying the apartment is fine. One day she admits that she needs a different arrangement. She has faced up to the problem. The phrase describes her acceptance of an uncomfortable truth. For a simple discovery, such as learning the room's size, find out is usually a better choice.
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Rosa finally faced up to the lack of space at home.
Why it works: Finally tells us that accepting the problem took time.
Your turn
What does Rosa accept?
Answer: Her home does not have enough space.
Show the answer
Answer: Her home does not have enough space.
She accepts a problem she already knew about. No repair or completed work is reported.
Check whether the problem is actually solved
Rosa can face up to her space problem while her papers are still on the table. Acceptance and a successful solution are separate things. Deal with points toward handling a problem, while solve tells us that someone has found an answer. These phrases may describe different stages of the same situation. After hearing face up to, listen for what happens next before deciding whether the speaker has made a change.
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I have faced up to the space problem, but I have not decided what to do.
Why it works: Acceptance is clear, while the next action is still undecided.
This also comes up in Come up with and Sink in.
Your turn
Which sentence clearly says the space problem has been solved?
Answer: Rosa has solved the space problem.
Show the answer
Answer: Rosa has solved the space problem.
Has solved reports a result. Trying describes an effort, and needs to describes something still necessary.
Put the problem after face up to
Treat face up to as one phrase when you build a sentence. First write the phrase, then name what the person accepts: the cost, a mistake, or the truth. If you have already named the problem, you can replace it with it. Use them for more than one thing. Both words belong after to. Unlike some other English verb phrases, this one does not allow you to move the object into the middle.
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The extra costs are real, and we must face up to them.
Why it works: Them replaces the extra costs and stays after to.
Your turn
Which sentence uses the correct word order?
Answer: We must face up to it.
Show the answer
Answer: We must face up to it.
The object it follows the whole phrase face up to.
Add the fact that before a full statement
Sometimes the reader needs more information than the problem provides. After face up to the fact that, you can explain the difficulty in a full statement. That statement needs its own subject and verb, as in my desk blocks the door. This pattern is useful when writing about a specific limit or mistake. Do not leave out the fact and write face up to that my desk blocks the door.
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I must face up to the fact that my new desk is too large.
Why it works: My new desk is too large states exactly what the speaker accepts.
Your turn
Complete the sentence: 'We must face up to ___ we need more room.'
Answer: the fact that
Show the answer
Answer: the fact that
The fact that introduces the full statement we need more room.
Let the sentence guide the form of face
Only face changes inside this phrase; up to stays the same. Yesterday often goes with faced, while must takes the basic form face. With have or has, use faced. With am, is, or are, use facing when describing an ongoing process of acceptance. A person who is facing up to a problem may still find it difficult to accept. Check the helping words before the phrase as well as the time expression.
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Rosa faced up to the problem yesterday.
Why it works: Faced describes acceptance in the past.
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She must face up to the cost of a smaller desk.
Why it works: Must is followed by face, without an ending.
Your turn
Which form completes 'He has ___ his mistake'?
Answer: faced up to
Show the answer
Answer: faced up to
Has needs faced in this pattern: he has faced up to his mistake.
Choose wording that fits the responsibility
Telling someone to face up to a problem can sound critical. You may seem to be saying that they refuse to accept the truth. Use I when taking responsibility for your own choice. Use we when the problem really belongs to both people. Adding I think can make a suggestion less direct, but it does not remove the phrase's strong meaning. For a neutral update, simply state the fact without judging anyone's attitude.
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I need to face up to my mistake in ordering this desk.
Why it works: The speaker accepts personal responsibility.
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The desk is wider than the doorway.
Why it works: This gives information without suggesting that anyone is avoiding it.
Your turn
Which sentence takes responsibility for the speaker's own decision?
Answer: I need to face up to my choice.
Show the answer
Answer: I need to face up to my choice.
I and my show that the speaker is accepting responsibility for a personal decision.
Listen for the ending and both small words
In speech, face up to may sound like one connected group. To is often short and quiet, and the final sound of faced can be difficult to hear before up. Faced ends with a t sound; it does not have an extra syllable. During dictation, listen for the whole message first. On another listen, check the verb ending and the words up to. Grammar can help you confirm an unclear sound.
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They have faced up to the truth.
Why it works: Have helps you identify faced even when the ending is quiet.
Your turn
You hear 'They have' before the target phrase. Which wording fits?
Answer: faced up to the truth
Show the answer
Answer: faced up to the truth
Have faced fits the sentence. Listen again for the quiet ending rather than dropping it.
Follow acceptance with a clear next step
When you write a message about a difficult situation, name the problem before proposing a change. The reader needs to know what you accept and what you want to happen. Keep a suggestion separate from a decision: we could move the desk leaves the plan open, while we have moved the desk reports a completed action. This distinction also helps in listening tasks. Words such as could, may, and suggest do not confirm that a plan has happened.
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We need to face up to the lack of space, so I suggest selling the desk.
Why it works: The speaker accepts the problem and proposes an action.
Your turn
What does 'I suggest selling the desk' tell you?
Answer: Selling the desk is a proposed action.
Show the answer
Answer: Selling the desk is a proposed action.
Suggest introduces an idea for consideration. It does not report a sale or an agreed date.
Common mistakes with "face up to something"
What learners often say, what to say instead, and why.
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Not this:
We must face it up to.Say: We must face up to it.
The pronoun follows the complete phrase, not the word 'face'.
-
Not this:
I must face up to that I need help.Say: I must face up to the fact that I need help.
Use 'the fact that' before a full statement.
-
Not this:
He has face up to the problem.Say: He has faced up to the problem.
'Has' needs the past participle 'faced'.
-
Not this:
She must faced up to the cost.Say: She must face up to the cost.
A modal such as 'must' takes the basic form 'face'.
Use it naturally
How people really use “face up to”
Neutral Fine almost anywhere, at work or with friends.
Words it often goes with
- face up to the truthWe have to face up to the truth about our spending.
- face up to the fact thatI need to face up to the fact that I cannot finish this alone.
- face up to my mistakeI have to face up to my mistake and tell my manager.
- face up to the costWe need to face up to the cost of repairing the roof.
What people also say
- “I need to face up to my mistake.” instead of “I need to accept that I made an incorrect action.”Use this when admitting your mistake feels difficult.
Questions about "Face up to something"
Can I use face instead of face up to?
Sometimes, but the focus may change. Face can mean that a difficulty is ahead of you or that you confront it. Face up to draws attention to accepting an uncomfortable reality. Facing a long wait does not necessarily tell us how someone feels about it.
We face a long wait for a new apartment.
We must face up to the fact that moving will take longer than expected.
Does facing up to a situation mean I am happy with it?
No. You accept that the situation is real, but you can still dislike it and want it to change. The phrase does not tell us whether you feel calm or have a solution ready.
I have faced up to the need to move, but I am sad to leave this apartment.
Can I face up to bad news immediately?
Yes. Earlier avoidance is common in situations described with face up to, but it is not required. Finally makes a delay clear. Without it, the sentence may describe someone accepting a difficult fact as soon as they hear it.
When the results arrived, Jo immediately faced up to the fact that she needed more training.
Why can needing follow face up to?
The to in face up to belongs to the phrase. It can be followed by a noun, a pronoun, or an action expressed with an -ing form. Face up to needing help is possible. If that pattern is difficult to build, use face up to the fact that you need help.
Ben is facing up to needing help with the garden.
Ben is facing up to the fact that he needs help with the garden.
Is face up to too direct for a work email?
It can fit a work email when you need to acknowledge a difficult issue. Telling a colleague to face up to something may sound accusing. When taking responsibility yourself, use I and name your mistake. Use we only when responsibility is shared.
I need to face up to my mistake in the schedule.
We need to face up to the fact that our team cannot finish by Friday.
Before you go
Remember this
Use face up to for difficult acceptance. Keep its object after to, and change face to fit the sentence. Then look for separate information about action: accepting a problem does not prove that anyone has fixed it.
Stage 2 of 5
Listen
Hear it in real sentences, from short to long, and write what you hear.
0 of 4 done
Listening 1 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- Rosa faced up to the fact that her apartment was too small.
- I chose the wrong size, and I have to face up to it.
Read the transcript
I finally faced up to my mistake.
Faced up to describes accepting the mistake. Finally suggests that the speaker took time to admit it.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In "faced up," listen for "face-dup." The ending joins the next word.
- Before "my mistake," listen for "tuh." Keep this small word with "faced up."
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In "faced up," listen for "face-dup." The ending joins the next word.
- Before "my mistake," listen for "tuh." Keep this small word with "faced up."
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In "faced up," listen for "face-dup." The ending joins the next word.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- Rosa faced up to the fact that her apartment was too small.
- I chose the wrong size, and I have to face up to it.
Read the transcript
We need to face up to the truth.
Need to expresses necessity. The truth is the difficult reality they need to accept.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
- In "face up to the truth," listen for "tuh." The word "to" is lighter than "truth."
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- Rosa faced up to the fact that her apartment was too small.
- I chose the wrong size, and I have to face up to it.
Read the transcript
We have to face up to the fact that our car is too expensive to keep. The repair bills are higher every month.
The fact that introduces the problem they must accept. The second sentence explains the increasing cost.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
This clip is longer. Follow the instruction above the answer field.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
0:00
- Rosa faced up to the fact that her apartment was too small.
- I chose the wrong size, and I have to face up to it.
Read the transcript
We need to face up to the fact that we cannot afford this storage space. The rent takes most of the money we earn from our small shop. I asked about a smaller room upstairs, and we can see it on Friday. We may need to sell some shelves, but first we should check how much space the room has.
The speaker identifies a cost they cannot afford. They can visit another room, but they have not decided whether to sell shelves.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In "cannot afford," listen for "canno-tafford." The final t connects to the start of "afford."
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In "cannot afford," listen for "canno-tafford." The final t connects to the start of "afford."
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- In "cannot afford," listen for "canno-tafford." The final t connects to the start of "afford."
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
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Save my progressStage 3 of 5
Speak
Say it with the speaker, then use it in your own answer.
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Say it along with the speaker
I finally faced up to my mistake.
Play the line slowly, then speak at the same time as the speaker. Copy the rhythm, not just the words.
Your turn
Say it your way
Speak for 30 to 60 seconds from memory to a teammate at work. You sent a customer the wrong information about an order. Explain what happened, accept your responsibility, and describe what you plan to do next.
Use: face up to faced up to
Think for ten seconds, then answer out loud for as long as the task above asks, without looking at the lesson. Nothing is sent unless you ask for feedback.
0:00
Hear how someone else might say it
I need to face up to a problem with an order. Yesterday, I told a customer that their new desk would arrive on Monday. I checked again this morning, and the correct day is Friday. At first, I wanted to blame the computer, but I faced up to my mistake. I read the date too quickly. I haven't spoken to the customer yet, so the problem is still there. I'll call them this afternoon, explain what happened, and say I'm sorry. Next time, I'll check the date twice before I send a message.
Try once more and answer this: How did the customer react?
Stage 4 of 5
Write
Write about your own day or week using it, then write a message.
Write
Put it in your own words
- I used “face up to”.
- It is about my life, not the lesson’s example.
- I read it once aloud to check it sounds right.
Write your own response
Choose a situation and write 30–50 words in your own wording. This is separate from typing the exact words in a recording.
Check your own writing
Read one possible response
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