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• one-on-one
  one-on-one

  adjective

  consisting of or involving direct individual competition, confrontation, or communication; person-to-person.
• one on one
  one on one

  A direct encounter between two persons, especially a conflict, as in The two department heads went one on one regarding shelf space. This slangy expression almost certainly comes from sports. It is commonly used to refer to a two-person basketball game, but is also applied to the interaction of two players on opposing teams in football, soccer, and similar team sports. [c. 1960]

one-on-one

American  

[wuhn-on-wuhn, -awn-] / ˈwʌn ɒnˈwʌn, -ɔn- /

adjective

1. consisting of or involving direct individual competition, confrontation, or communication; person-to-person.

   a one-on-one discussion.

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adverb

1. in direct encounter.

   I'd rather settle this with her one-on-one.

noun

1. a meeting or confrontation between two persons.

idioms

1. go one-on-one with, to play directly against (an opposing player).

one-on-one British  

adjective

1. denoting a relationship or encounter in which someone is involved with only one other person

   a one-on-one meeting

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one on one More Idioms  

1. A direct encounter between two persons, especially a conflict, as in The two department heads went one on one regarding shelf space. This slangy expression almost certainly comes from sports. It is commonly used to refer to a two-person basketball game, but is also applied to the interaction of two players on opposing teams in football, soccer, and similar team sports. [c. 1960]

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Etymology

Origin of one-on-one

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Example Sentences

Texas A&M’s M.B.A. candidates are required to do intense preparation before career fairs, and a counselor met with him one on one to help him prepare for specific interviews and practice salary negotiations.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

All three players are such a threat once they get one on one in wide areas, and whoever plays full-back for the Gunners will need to bring their 'A game' with them.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

The leaders then spent more than half an hour talking one on one, before a classic of the Trumpian genre – a rolling, free-wheeling question-and-answer session with reporters, lasting more than an hour.

From BBC • Jul. 28, 2025

Lue said Zubac won’t have to defend his counterpart one on one all game.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2024

“You ain’t man enough to go one on one against the Great Santini.”

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• antagonism
• clash
• conflict
• contest
• duel
• encounter
• event
• fight
• jealousy
• matchup
• race
• strife
• struggle
• tug-of-war