definitions

eyeball-to-eyeball

[ ahy-bawl-tuh-ahy-bawl, -too- ]
/ ˈaɪˌbɔl təˈaɪˌbɔl, -tu- /

adjective, adverb

close or direct and often hostile; face-to-face: an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation.

RELATED CONTENT

Words Popularized By Shakespeare That We Still UseWilliam Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616 and was baptized on April 26, 1564. His exact birthdate remains unknown, though is conventionally taken to be the same as the day his "bones were interred." In his honor, we wanted to share some words popularized by the man himself.
READ MORE
9 Ways To LaughRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

negotiation, conference, dialogue, deliberation, visit, argument, conversation, consultation, interview, symposium, meeting, seminar, huddle, conclave, parley, powwow, spiel, colloquy, confabulation, parlance

Nearby words

eye-popper, eye-popping, eye-watering, eyeball, eyeball to eyeball, eyeball-to-eyeball, eyebank, eyebar, eyebath, eyebeam, eyeblack

Origin of eyeball-to-eyeball

First recorded in 1960–65
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Idioms and Phrases with eyeball to eyeball

eyeball to eyeball

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]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.