To face the music, verb phr. (American).—To meet an emergency; also to
show one’s hand. [J. Fenimore Cooper derived it from the green-room,
whence actors go on the boards and literally face the music. Another
traces it to militia musters, where every man is expected to appear
equipped and armed, when in rank and file, facing the music. A third
derives it from drumming out of the army.]
1857. Worcester Spy, 22 Sept. Although such reverses would seem to
fall with crushing weight upon some of our most substantial
citizens, a strong determination to face the music is everywhere
manifested.
1888. Daily Inter-Ocean, 20 Feb. I am sure Fred can explain
everything satisfactorily. I hope he hasn’t read the newspaper
stories about him, for it might scare him, and he’d very foolishly
skip out. That would be the worst thing he could do. He must face
the music.
Face-entry, subs. (theatrical).—Freedom of access, the personal
appearance being familiar to attendants.
Face-making, verb. subs. (old).—Begetting children. Cf., making feet
for children’s stockings.
Facer, subs. (pugilistic).—1. A blow in the face.
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1819. Moore, Tom Crib’s Memorial, p. 24. In short, not to dwell on
each facer and fall, Poor Georgy was done up in no time at all.
1834. Harrison Ainsworth, Rookwood. ‘The Double Cross.’ No claret
flows, No facers sound—no smashing blows.
1837. Barham, I. L. (The Ghost). Whom sometimes there would come on
A sort of fear his spouse might knock his head off, Demolish half
his teeth, or drive a rib in, She shone so much in facers and in
‘fibbing.’
1862. Athenæum, 1 Nov., p. 557, col. 1. Before his unknown
adversary well knew what was coming, the skilled fist of the
Professor had planted such a facer as did not require repetition.
1868. C. Reade, Foul Play, ch. ii. This was followed by a quick
succession of staggering facers, administered right and left, on
the eyes and noses of the subordinates.
2. (common).—A sudden check; ‘a spoke in one’s wheel.’ [By implication
from sense 1.]
1860. Thackeray, Philip, ch. xl. In the battle of life every man
must meet with a blow or two, and every brave one would take his
facer with good humour.
1869. Whyte Melville, M. or N., p. 189. Dick Stanmore took his
punishment with true British pluck and pertinacity. It was a facer.