man-to-man

[ man-tuh-man ]

adjective

1. characterized by directness, openness, etc.; frank and personal:

   He had a man-to-man talk with his son about sex.

man-to-man

adjective

1. characterized by directness or candour

   a man-to-man discussion

Word History and Origins

Origin of man-to-man¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

In a man-to-man duel he had an excellent chance of survival.

From Project Gutenberg

It was all very simple, this man-to-man system of traffic, but no one took it lightly or in the spirit of jest.

From Project Gutenberg

He had whipped Brayley in a fair, square, hand-to-hand, man-to-man fight.

From Project Gutenberg

Often he assured me that we were men, face to face; that I was not his Boswell, not his disciple, but a man-to-man friend.

From Project Gutenberg

Captain Immelman: I challenge you to a man-to-man fight to take place this afternoon at two o'clock.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blunt
• candid
• forthright
• guileless
• honest
• matter-of-fact
• naive
• outspoken
• straightforward