STARE IN THE FACE

n. phr. 1. To be about to meet or to happen to (you.) Grandmother became very sick and death was staring her in the face. Defeat stared them in the face, but the soldiers fought on bravely. 2. To be easy to see; be plain. Are you looking for your pencil? It's on your desk, staring you in the face. Their friends all knew that Mary loved John, but John did not see it even though it was staring him in the face.