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

Then in the performance, I was so nervous because I always thought it would be a one-on-one with Joyce, but it was the full cast.

From Los Angeles Times

“The biggest part of coaching a quarterback one-on-one, of mentoring, is building that trust,” Cutcliffe said.

From The Wall Street Journal

He’s not just the most lethal one-on-one scorer in the NBA—he’s put up higher marks in both categories than Jordan in ‘96 and Curry in ‘16.

From The Wall Street Journal

And then it’s also, ‘Hey, you want to play us man-to-man, one-on-one, I’m enough of a sniper as a passer to make you pay for it.’

From Los Angeles Times

For the show, attendees have a one-on-one encounter with the man in the Tuskhut.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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