eyeball-to-eyeball

[ahy-bawl-tuh-ahy-bawl, -too-]

adjective

1. close or direct and often hostile; face-to-face.

   an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of eyeball to eyeball¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Idioms and Phrases

Face to face; especially, about to begin a conflict. For example, We are eyeball to eyeball with the enemy, or In the playoffs we go eyeball to eyeball with the Yankees, or In the first debate our candidate's going eyeball to eyeball with his opponent. This term was originally used only in a military context but later entered civilian language, particularly in political or sports confrontations. [Colloquial; c. 1950]

Related Words

• argument 
• conference 
• consultation 
• conversation 
• deliberation 
• dialogue 
• interview 
• meeting 
• negotiation 
• seminar 
• symposium 
• visit