Face up to

Question

Hi.What's the difference between facing up to something and accepting it?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

They could be the same.

"Facing up to something" is perhaps more appropriate when accepting the thing requires some [unpleasant] action on your part.

In some cases there may be a two-stage response: first you accept it and then you face up to beginning the required action.

In other cases you may accept the bad news and then simply dismiss the matter from your mind forever.

- A.

Soheil1 · Answer

Mean when facing up to a thing, you always have to take action?
And does it imply that the bad thing already happened?

Avangi · Answer

soheil1Mean when facing up to a thing, you always have to take action?And does it imply that the bad thing already happened?

I wouldn't say "always."
When there's an issue about accepting something the implication is that you have some resistance to doing so.
Yes, usually something has already happened which may require some action on your part. It may require a major effort from you, or it may simply require a small change in your attitude toward something.
A close friend died. Your girlfriend married somebody else. You lost your job. You got a new boss who doesn't like you. Your car broke down and you're going to have to walk home ten miles.
Something has changed and you're not happy about it. You can accept it. You can fight it. If there's nothing you can do about it you'll just have to face up to it. Start walking home. Bite your tongue every time you see your old girlfriend with her new husband.
Generally speaking, "face up to it" is stronger than "accept it," and is more likely to require action. That is, you can't just ignore it.

Face up to

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