one-on-one
adjective
consisting of or involving direct individual competition, confrontation, or communication; person-to-person.
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one-on-one
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one on one
one on oneA 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
adverb
noun
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one-on-ones
plural
idioms
one-on-one
British
adjective
one on one
More Idioms
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of one-on-one
An Americanism dating back to 1965–70
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce was being interviewed on national broadcaster ABC on Monday night when he interrupted the one-on-one to shriek "sit down!"
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
His friends and former clerks describe him as a quiet workaholic who tends to defer to other people in one-on-one conversations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
"I only go between work and home. I don't have a hobby. I tried to get one but they were all one-on-one activities."
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
Americans have largely heard about the famous French creche system of public daycares, but the French government also subsidizes the kind of one-on-one at-home care that many parents of infants prefer.
From Slate ● Jul. 6, 2026
We shot some one-on-one hoop out in the driveway, under a flickering garage light.
From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin
What about dealing with Haaland one on one?
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
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
Hemp coming into the game later with her electric speed, dribbling capabilities and ability to go one on one against full-backs could make an impact.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2025
That was one on one, but now I was in front of everyone.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2024
Holmes believed he and Chamberlin would be meeting alone, one on one, but when Holmes arrived at the office, he found it occupied by two dozen creditors and their attorneys and one police detective.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
He draws so many double teams that it frees teammates with one-on-ones.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 23, 2025
According to the Microsoft report, nearly three-quarters of people managers believe more guidance on what to prioritize would improve their performance, but more than two-thirds say their managers have never given clear guidance in one-on-ones.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 31, 2023
Foord, another Arsenal player, is an exciting attacker who loves one-on-ones and lives for big moments, constantly overlapping Catley.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2023
Dear Miss Manners: Being blown off for meetings, including my one-on-ones, has taken the wind out of my sails, professionally.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 19, 2023
In one-on-ones, advantage is to the shooter, especially if he’s as good as this guy.
From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
