hand-to-hand

[ hand-tuh-hand ]

adjective

1. close to one's adversary; at close quarters:

   hand-to-hand combat.

hand-to-hand

adjective

1. at close quarters

   they fought hand-to-hand

Word History and Origins

Origin of hand-to-hand¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

One had fought hand-to-hand combat and earned a Purple Heart in Korea.

From The Daily Beast

Hand-to-hand in an apartment with an Edith Piaf song in the background.

From The Daily Beast

Once, Usama bin Zaid overcame an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat.

From The Daily Beast

Guys, it distinctly says “tickle me” Elmo, not “hand-to-hand combat over me” Elmo.

From The Daily Beast

But his sexual deviance, sporadic drug addiction, and overreliance on hand-to-hand combat may not hold up to scrutiny.

From The Daily Beast

They held the compound against repeated assaults, and lost several men in hand-to-hand fighting.

From Project Gutenberg

Now came a hand-to-hand struggle which looked as if it must end in the death of Smith and perhaps of several of his assailants.

From Project Gutenberg

Men on each side now rushed to board the enemy's ship, and there was a hand-to-hand fight at the bulwarks of the two ships.

From Project Gutenberg

A bloody hand-to-hand encounter took place under the arch that joined the two towers on either side of the gate.

From Project Gutenberg

As this night might see rousing hand-to-hand work with rioters the swords might have their place.

From Project Gutenberg