face-off

American  

[feys-awf, -of] / ˈfeɪsˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

Ice Hockey.

1. the act of facing the puck, as at the start of a game or period.

2. an open confrontation.

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face-off British  

noun

1. ice hockey the method of starting a game, in which the referee drops the puck, etc between two opposing players

2. a confrontation

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verb

1. to start play by (a face-off)

Etymology

Origin of face-off

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase face off

Example Sentences

It was looking as though we wouldn’t get a badly needed, monthslong, toe-to-toe face-off about all that’s right and wrong in the sprawling metropolis of high hopes and low expectations.

From Los Angeles Times

The face-off there is in the part of the country not controlled by the Houthi militant group.

From The Wall Street Journal

After all talk, the face-off passed without incident with Paul striking a bizarre pose, pushing his stomach out, placing his hands on his back, raising his eyebrows and even bringing his hand to Joshua's chest.

From BBC

But the landscape involved lies along the Sweden-Norway border, where the forests are the scene of an annual face-off between hunters and conservationists.

From The Wall Street Journal

“And it’s also like a face-off. Maybe me versus my ego on a rainy war field at the end of ‘Squid Game.’”

From Los Angeles Times