Used when confronting a problem, challenge, or person without evasion. Often implies a straightforward, honest, or bold approach.
See also: 正面 (しょうめん)
He faced the difficulty head-on.
from the front
Literal spatial meaning: approaching or viewing something from the front side. Less common than the figurative sense.
I photographed the building from the front.
Let's discuss that issue directly.
Compound of 正面 (front, facade) + から (from). The figurative sense developed naturally from the literal spatial meaning.