one-on-one
adjective
consisting of or involving direct individual competition, confrontation, or communication; person-to-person.
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one-on-one
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one on one
one on oneA direct encounter between two persons, especially a conflict, as in The two department heads went one on one regarding shelf space. This slangy expression almost certainly comes from sports. It is commonly used to refer to a two-person basketball game, but is also applied to the interaction of two players on opposing teams in football, soccer, and similar team sports. [c. 1960]
one-on-one
American
[wuhn-on-wuhn, -awn-]
/ ˈwʌn ɒnˈwʌn, -ɔn- /
adjective
adverb
noun
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one-on-ones
plural
idioms
one-on-one
British
adjective
one on one
More Idioms
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of one-on-one
An Americanism dating back to 1965–70
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He is scheduled to be welcomed by an honour guard at Bangkok's Government House and then meet one-on-one with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a Thai official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
Hurwitz took some one-on-one practice time with him before the orchestra arrived, and Nasa had also been practicing his part for six weeks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
"I can't wait," O'Reilly, who will probably have to defend against Messi one-on-one if he starts at left-back, told BBC Radio 5 Live.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
Americans have largely heard about the famous French creche system of public daycares, but the French government also subsidizes the kind of one-on-one at-home care that many parents of infants prefer.
From Slate ● Jul. 6, 2026
Watching them play one-on-one was like watching two dance partners perform their greatest hits.
From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan
What about dealing with Haaland one on one?
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
Texas A&M’s M.B.A. candidates are required to do intense preparation before career fairs, and a counselor met with him one on one to help him prepare for specific interviews and practice salary negotiations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026
First they went against each other one on one on Tuesday in front of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2026
Hemp coming into the game later with her electric speed, dribbling capabilities and ability to go one on one against full-backs could make an impact.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2025
“You ain’t man enough to go one on one against the Great Santini.”
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
“The years of ‘Your Special Day’ of one-on-ones with each grandkid are some of their fondest memories,” the family said in her obituary.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2025
Two one-on-ones were saved by Ederson and he ballooned another shot over from inside the box.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2024
They have had some wins in the one-on-ones with defensive linemen that we’ve seen the past two days since pads went on.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 2, 2023
Dear Miss Manners: Being blown off for meetings, including my one-on-ones, has taken the wind out of my sails, professionally.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 19, 2023
In one-on-ones, advantage is to the shooter, especially if he’s as good as this guy.
From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
