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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

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

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

I don’t know if it’s still like play one on one with with Zu down there and if he beats you over the top out of the post you live with it.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2025

Then Coach Spinks turned his attention toward his returning players, letting them go one on one while he shouted instructions to the defensive players.

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