Face up? Yet it might mean the opposite (4,4)
I believe the answer is:
back down
'face' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with motion as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for back down that I've seen before include "Give up claim or withdraw argument" , "Abandon one's position" , "Withdraw (aggressive) claim" , "being in lower division once more?" , "Avoid a challenge - face up?" .)