1
general::
1. Straight into, confronting, as in The ship was headed in the teeth of the gale. [Late 1200s] 2. In opposition to or defiance of, as in She stuck to her position in the teeth of criticism by the board members. [Late 1700s] Also see FLY IN THE FACE OF. 3. Facing danger or threats, as in The tribe was in the teeth of starvation. [Early 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms