unface

A detective unfaces the criminal in the courtroom.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To expose or reveal someone's true identity or character: "unface" means to remove a face or mask, figuratively, to uncover the true nature of a person, often in a negative or critical context. This is a rare or obsolete usage, derived from the prefix "un-" (to reverse or remove) and "face" (the front of the head or a persona).

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The journalist's investigation sought to unface the corrupt politician, exposing his lies to the public. (To reveal the politician's true, dishonest character.)
  • In the old play, the hero vowed to unface the villain, stripping away his disguise. (To expose the villain's hidden identity.)

Advanced Usage

• "to unface a person": to remove their pretense or mask.
  • The scandal unfaced the celebrity, showing the world the person behind the glamour. (The scandal revealed the celebrity's true, less admirable self.)

Variants and Related Words

• Face (n): the front part of the head; a person's outward appearance or expression.
  • She wore a calm face despite her anxiety. (Her outward expression was composed.)
• Unfaced (adj): not having a face; also, not confronted or dealt with (e.g., an unfaced problem).
  • The statue remained unfaced due to erosion. (The statue lost its facial features.)

Synonyms

• Expose: to reveal something hidden or secret.
• Unmask: to remove a mask or disguise, revealing the truth.
• Uncover: to make known or bring to light.

Phrasal Verbs

• (No common phrasal verbs exist for "unface" due to its rarity.)

Related Idioms

• To have egg on one's face: to be embarrassed or humiliated after being exposed.
  • After the lie was uncovered, the mayor had egg on his face. (He was publicly embarrassed.)
• To save face: to preserve one's reputation or dignity.
  • He apologized to save face after the mistake. (He apologized to avoid embarrassment.)

Note: "Unface" is an extremely rare word, largely obsolete in modern English. It appears in some historical or literary contexts but is not used in everyday conversation. The primary meaning is to expose or reveal, similar to "unmask."