mano a mano

[mah-naw ah mah-naw, mah-noh uh mah-noh]

noun

plural

manos a manos 

1. (italics),  a corrida in which two matadors alternate in fighting two or three bulls each.

2. a direct confrontation or conflict; head-on competition; duel.

adjective

1. being or resembling such a confrontation.

   a mano a mano struggle in the courtroom between two superb criminal lawyers.

adverb

1. in direct competition or rivalry.

   a brash newcomer in tennis taking on the reigning champion mano a mano.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mano a mano¹

< Spanish: on an equal footing, without advantage (to either of two contestants); literally, hand to hand

Example Sentences

Despite the testosterone in the title, no one in “One Battle After Another” throws a mano a mano punch.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That’s not nearly as dramatic as the mano a mano competition on the track, where some races are over in 10 seconds, the winner decided by an eyelash.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It’s you mano a mano,” guard Trey Smith said.

Read more on Seattle Times

CEO Zuckerberg - whose social media platforms duke it out daily for advertising dollars - have been trading bluster about going mano a mano.

Read more on Reuters

“Herschel is a competitor. He’s very comfortable with the mano a mano,” said Scott Paradise, Walker’s campaign manager, noting the candidate’s athletic prowess as a football running back, kickboxer and Olympic bobsledder.

Read more on Seattle Times