afrontar las consecuencias
verbCEFR B2
What does “afrontar las consecuencias” mean in English?
to face the consequences, to deal with the aftermath
to face the consequences, to deal with the aftermath (afrontar = literary flavour; de marks source of consequences)
Example sentences
Quien tome esa decisión deberá afrontar las consecuencias, sean cuales sean.
Whoever makes that decision will have to face the consequences, whatever they may be.
El país tiene que afrontar las consecuencias de décadas de subinversión en infraestructuras.
The country has to deal with the consequences of decades of underinvestment in infrastructure.
Nadie quiso afrontar las consecuencias y el problema siguió creciendo sin solución.
Nobody was willing to face the consequences and the problem kept growing without resolution.
How to use it
Afrontar las consecuencias means 'to face the consequences', 'to deal with the aftermath'. It implies accepting and dealing with the results of one's actions or a situation. Construction: afrontar las consecuencias (de algo). Contrast with hacer frente a (near synonym, slightly more active/confrontational) and evitar las consecuencias (to avoid the consequences — the opposite move). Afrontar carries a slightly literary flavour compared to hacer frente a.
Common mistake
Afrontar ≠ confrontar (to confront someone, which is more adversarial and often interpersonal). Afrontar is about dealing with a situation or its aftermath. Note: afrontar las consecuencias de algo (de marks causation/source); hacer frente a las consecuencias is equally correct.