Be staring something in the face Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/2Imminent Problem Suggests a pressing issue is very close and unavoidable, yet unrecognized. With their resources depleting, they were staring a crisis in the face. Pro Tip 2/2Unacknowledged Issue Indicates a lack of action despite being close to a serious problem. He's failing most of his classes and is staring failure in the face.