adv. phr. 1. With your face looking toward the face of another person; each facing the other. Turning a corner, he found himself face-to-face with a policeman. The two teams for the spelling bee stood face-to-face on opposite sides of the classroom. The church and the school stand face-to-face across the street. 2. In the presence of another or others. She was thrilled to meet the President face-to-face. I have heard about him, but I never met him face-to-face.
Compare: IN PERSON. 3. To the point where you must do something. Used with "with". The solution of the first problem brought him face-to-face with a second problem.
Compare: UP AGAINST.