face that launched a thousand ships

The phrase "face that launched a thousand ships" refers to someone's beauty or presence being so captivating that it could inspire an entire armada to set sail or go to war. It originates from Greek mythology and specifically refers to the Trojan War, where the abduction of Helen of Troy, said to possess an incredibly beautiful face, led to the Greeks launching a thousand ships to rescue her. The phrase is often used metaphorically to describe extraordinary allure or the power of attraction.