Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Mastering the Phrasal Verb: Face Down

"When challenges rise, those who face down adversity sculpt their character most, defining strength beyond battle and heart beyond hardship."

📖 Definition

To confront someone or something boldly or with determination, often leading to overcoming an adversary or challenge by sheer courage and resilience.

Examples in context

She faced down the growing challenges in her career with unwavering resolve.
The defense lawyer faced down the aggressive charges presented in court.
As a leader, he always faced down doubts with firm confidence.

📖 Definition

To confront someone or something boldly or with determination, often leading to overcoming an adversary or challenge by sheer courage and resilience.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between 'face' and 'down'.

Neutral

Used in both casual and professional settings.

Transitive

Yes

Requires an object; you face down someone or something.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	face down	They face down their opponents with courage.
Past Simple	faced down	She faced down the angry crowd with grace.
Present Continuous	facing down	They are facing down unexpected challenges.
Present Perfect	have faced down	We have faced down difficulties before and succeeded.

💡 When to Use

Confronting an adversary

Use when someone confronts another force distinctly and assertively, often in challenging situations.

Example: "He had to face down his critics during the meeting."

Overcoming obstacles

Apply this when describing surmounting significant barriers with determination and a strong will.

Example: "She faced down many obstacles to achieve her dream."

Standing up to authority

Appropriate when someone resists an authority figure courageously.

Example: "The activist faced down the official demands without backing down."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using incorrect preposition

❌ Wrong: He faced over his fears.

✅ Correct: He faced down his fears.

💡 Tip: Remember: 'down' implies a challenge being tackled.

Misplacing the object

❌ Wrong: She faced them down with ease.

✅ Correct: She faced down them with ease.

💡 Tip: Place the object between 'face' and 'down'.

Using intransitively

❌ Wrong: He will face down tomorrow.

✅ Correct: He will face down the exam tomorrow.

💡 Tip: Always face down something or someone.

Practice

FACE DOWN - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

She faced down the growing challenges in her career with unwavering resolve.
Urban Compact Living
2
Listen to example

The defense lawyer faced down the aggressive charges presented in court.
Urban Compact Living
3
Listen to example

As a leader, he always faced down doubts with firm confidence.
Urban Compact Living

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

confront defy

Antonyms

avoid

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The brave leader decided to ___ down his greatest fears."

find

face down

walk

run

In Context

In 1942, during World War II, Josef Gabcík and Jan Kubiš, Czechoslovak resistance fighters, undertook Operation Anthropoid. Their mission was to face down the Nazi presence in their homeland by assassinating Reinhard Heydrich, a high-ranking Nazi official. First, they faced down their fears and parachuted into German-occupied territory. Through careful planning and intense training, they were determined to face down the odds stacked against them. On the day of the assassination attempt, May 27, 1942, Gabcík faced down his nerves as he stepped into the street, ready to execute their plan. However, his Sten gun jammed. Kubiš then threw a grenade, wounding Heydrich. This act of courage showcased their determination to face down tyranny. The aftermath was brutal. Living in hiding, they were ultimately discovered and faced down by Nazi forces in a Prague church. Although their lives ended in a hail of bullets, their bravery inspired hope in occupied Europe and weakened Nazi resolve. Their story is a testament to the spirit required to face down an overwhelming adversary for the sake of freedom.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Face Down

What is the origin of face down?

The phrase 'face down' originates from Old English, combining 'face' as in confronting directly and 'down' signifying opposition or adversity.

Can face down be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Face down' can be applied in both formal and informal contexts to express confronting adversaries or challenges boldly and decisively.

What is the difference between face down and confront?

While 'face down' implies determination and overcoming an adversary, 'confront' simply means to meet the adversary without implying resolution.

Browse All Tiny House Phrasal Verbs

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

FACE DOWN - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Face Down

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega