in someone's face

English

(literally) Onto or into someone's face.
- 1675, Richard Baxter, Richard Baxter's Catholick Theologie: Plain, Pure, Peaceable: for Pacification of the Dogmatic Word-Warriours...‎^[1], page 226:
  And why do you and all men regard or reward a loving thankful, obedient child, more than one that will scorn you and spit in your face?
(idiomatic) In front of someone's face; before someone's eyes.
- 1658, Samuel Crook, Christopher Barker, William Garrett, Ta diapheronta, or, Divine characters: in two parts...‎^[2], page 70:
  This hypocrite will laugh in your face, and cut your throat...
- 1972, the O'Jays (lyrics and music), “Back Stabbers (song)”, in Back Stabbers (album), performed by the O'Jays:
  They smilin' in your face / All the time, they want to take your place / The back stabbers
- 1994, TLC (lyrics and music), “Case of the Fake People”, in CrazySexyCool, performed by TLC:
  Well well they smile in your face / When all the time they wanna take your place / Them backstabbers

literally

idiomatic