Set one's face against
Meaning
To firmly resolve to oppose or show strong disapproval towards something or someone.
Origin
Imagine someone turning their head, locking their gaze, and presenting an unyielding front—this powerful, almost defiant image is the heart of 'set one's face against.' The phrase traces its lineage back through centuries, finding prominent expression in biblical texts. In the 16th-century Geneva Bible and later the King James Bible, we find God frequently 'setting his face' against wrongdoing or disobedience, a stark declaration of unshakeable resolve and stern opposition. This vivid, literal depiction of unwavering determination moved from sacred texts into common parlance, capturing the essence of taking an uncompromising stand against something unwelcome.
Examples
- The community organization has set its face against the proposed development, citing environmental concerns.
- From the moment the controversial policy was announced, the senator publicly set her face against it, vowing to block its passage.