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head-on

head-on

36 3.8
To face something directly without avoiding it
  • adjective
  • /ˈhɛdˌɑn/
: de frente
  • But we eventually have to face the issue head-on and ask, "What are spirits?"
  • confront head-on
  • tackle head-on
  • face head-on

Showing no compromise, standing up to evil, taking on evil head on without permission.

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Examples

  • She decided to confront her fears head-on instead of avoiding them.

  • Tomorrow, we'll dive head-on into this investigation.

  • You worked hard to master what you love and you met head on the challenges of life.

  • Come at it head on and kick its ass.

  • We must face your fears head on, Angel.

  • However, the new king would meet the crisis head on with bold, decisive action.

  • Then we'll confront old age head on as we take our first terrifying look in the mirror.

  • When I say "organize political resistance," I mean we need to face power head-on.

  • I use example searches to address these challenges head-on in information literacy instruction sessions.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Effective leaders will need to be able to face confrontational issues "head-on" and bring them to a satisfactory resolution.

    Academic text (1991)

Synonyms

bluntly
vshead-on
40 4.6

In a direct way that is not polite

is more forceful and confronts problems with no hesitation

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

To stay away from something or not do it to stop something bad from happening

318 2.5

To pause before saying or doing something because you feel unsure

How Direct

head-on
36 3.8
directly
∞ 1.9
candidly
28 4.1
politely
108 1.0
tactfully
4 4.4

Surface Forms

head-on positive

Morphology

head-on = head (transparent) = on + head

Figurative extension from the literal compound is regular and easily inferred by learners. [Postprocessing: moved 'on' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Head-on mixes head and on, like in 'head-to-head' or 'head first', to give the idea of facing something directly and without turning away. So to deal with a problem head-on is to face it in a direct, forceful way.