facedown

[ adverb feys-doun; noun feys-doun ]

/ adverb ˈfeɪsˈdaʊn; noun ˈfeɪsˌdaʊn /

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adverb

with the face or the front or upper surface downward: He was lying facedown on the floor. Deal the cards facedown on the table.

noun

Also face-down .Informal. a direct confrontation; showdown.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of facedown

1930–35; (def. 1) face + down¹; (def. 2) noun use of verb phrase face down

Words nearby facedown

face card, face-centered, face-centred, facecloth, faced, facedown, face flies, face gear, face-harden, face it, faceless

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use facedown in a sentence

Wilson’s altercation with Pavel Buchnevich and Artemi Panarin — in which he dealt a blow near the head of a facedown Buchnevich then threw Panarin to the ground, twice — resulted in Wilson receiving a $5,000 fine.
Capitals’ Tom Wilson says Rangers altercation ‘took on a new life after the game’|Samantha Pell|May 7, 2021|Washington Post
The $5,000 fine was a result of Wilson striking Buchnevich in the back of the head while he was facedown on the ice.
New York Rangers fined $250,000 for statement criticizing NHL’s Department of Player Safety|Samantha Pell|May 6, 2021|Washington Post
In a 6-3 loss Monday to the visiting Capitals, a second-period fracas saw Washington’s Tom Wilson strike New York’s Pavel Buchnevich in the back of the head while Buchnevich was laying facedown on the ice.
The Rangers reshuffled their front office after being eliminated from NHL postseason play|Des Bieler|May 5, 2021|Washington Post
Another struggle ensued, with Pesoa ending up facedown on a sidewalk, still in handcuffs.
Judge clears Montgomery officer of assault conviction for slamming knee into handcuffed suspect|Dan Morse|March 3, 2021|Washington Post

He was convicted because he slammed his knee into a man who was handcuffed and lying facedown.
Judge clears Montgomery officer of assault conviction for slamming knee into handcuffed suspect|Dan Morse|March 3, 2021|Washington Post
Carter looked at Gallegos, who was lying facedown next to them.
Ty Carter Awarded Medal of Honor|David Eisler, Jake Tapper|August 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Even more emphatically, Urquhart—with a roguish smile—turns her picture facedown on his desk.
Rewind: BBC’s Iconic Political Thriller ‘House of Cards’ Still Captivates|Jace Lacob|January 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The clerk had another clipboard with another form, as well as a facedown photo.
Hurricane Sandy Victim Jacob Vogelman’s Mother Remembers His Life|Michael Daly|November 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And while I no longer collapse facedown in my food, I have fallen asleep in some pretty unlikely places.
In Defense of the 5 O'Clock Reservation|Megan McArdle|October 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It features a young woman, facedown in front of her fiancé's grave, whispering to him.
The Story Behind John Moore's Famous Photo|The Daily Beast Video|August 7, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He saw himself lying facedown, nearly nude on the rack, his blond hair darkened and plastered down with sweat.
The Saracen: The Holy War|Robert Shea

British Dictionary definitions for facedown

face down

verb (tr, adverb)

to confront and force (someone or something) to back down

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with facedown

face down

With the upper surface put down, as in Please put these papers face down. This usage appears to come from cardplaying. [First half of 1600s] The antonym, “with the upper surface uppermost,” is face up.

Overcome, intimidate, or browbeat someone in a bold confrontation. This verbal expression dates from the 16th century. Shakespeare used it in The Comedy of Errors (3:1): “Here's a villain that would face me down.”