to face an issue

3.3

To deal directly and openly with a problem

phrasal verb

: enfrentar un problema

That was one of the reasons that the State Department, in my day, fought so hard over the American Law Institute (ALI) Restatement of Foreign Relations Law, because most federal judges, if they face an issue that is of any transnational significance, are going to refer first, very likely, to the ALI Restatement.

Examples

Our team must face an issue with the new project before the deadline.
OK, So all right, so now we are actually facing an issue here.
Yet while tribes in theory have more power to regulate guns than do states, they face an issue states do not: not only can tribes not stop guns from being brought onto reservations, they lack meaningful ability to enforce their regulations against nonmembers living on or visiting the reservation.

Academic text (2017)
It's important to face an issue head-on rather than avoid it.
When they face an issue, they often come up with creative solutions.

Synonyms

to face

vsto face an issue

∞ 2.2

To deal with a difficult situation or person

focuses on direct and open engagement, not merely opposing or avoiding

to confront

vsto face an issue

359 4.4

Face a difficult problem or fear directly and bravely

handles problems directly and openly rather than stressing boldness

to face a challenge

vsto face an issue

5 3.9

Deal with a difficult problem or situation

is about active, direct dealing rather than simple mention of difficulty

to tackle (the problem)

vsto face an issue

5 3.0

To try hard to solve a problem

stresses direct openness in dealing, not forceful energy or effort

Antonyms

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to evade

31 3.9

To avoid doing something you should do, for example a duty or a direct question

How Serious

crisis

∞ 3.1

to face an issue

3.3

Surface Forms

face an issue infinitive

faced an issue past

faced an issue past participle

facing an issue present participle

faces an issue third person singular

Morphology

face + an + issue

The verb 'face' (to confront) combined with the noun 'issue' (a problem) yields a directly compositional meaning 'confront a problem'; the indefinite article 'an' is a function word and does not alter semantics. This construction matches common cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Face an issue creates a clear picture: you turn your face toward a problem rather than turning away. So to face an issue means to 'deal with' or 'confront' a problem directly.