FACE TO FACE

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does face to face mean? 

• FACE TO FACE (adverb)
  The adverb FACE TO FACE has 3 senses:

1. involving close contact; confronting each other

2. directly facing each other

3. within each other's presence

  Familiarity information: FACE TO FACE used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FACE TO FACE (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Involving close contact; confronting each other

Context example:

they spoke face to face

Sense 2

Meaning:

Directly facing each other

Synonyms:

face-to-face; face to face; opposite

Context example:

they sat opposite at the table

Sense 3

Meaning:

Within each other's presence

Synonyms:

face-to-face; face to face

Context example:

she met the president face-to-face

 Context examples 

“No!” said I, looking from face to face.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It is only when a man feels himself face to face with such horrors that he can understand their true import.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

As we entered we found ourselves face to face with an elderly officer who was coming out.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He sent in his card with a message that he had come on important business, and a moment later we were face to face with the man whom we had come to see.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I grow timid when I am face to face with my human frailty, which ever prevents me from grasping all the factors in any problem—human, vital problems, you know.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

This chair I will place opposite yours, so that we may be the same distance from the poison and face to face.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Yes, you never thought to see me here again, but it was that night which taught me how I could meet you face to face, and alone.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

There they paused, and stood for a few minutes face to face talking earnestly.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And here it was, now, and I was face to face with it.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Don't you feel how splendid it is that a young man and a young woman should be able to talk face to face as we have talked?

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)