one-two

American  

[wuhn-too] / ˈwʌnˈtu /

noun

1. Also called one-two punch.  Boxing. a left-hand jab immediately followed by a right cross.

2. Informal. any strong or effective combination of two people or things.

   The old one-two of a good passer and a good receiver is the best way to win football games.

3. Fencing. a type of attack made up of two movements.

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adjective

1. employing or suggesting a one-two; with one major or powerful thing or person combined with or following another.

one-two British  

noun

1. boxing a jab with the leading hand followed by a cross with the other hand

2. soccer another term for wall pass

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Etymology

Origin of one-two

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

Sorloth scored his second and Atletico's third on the night on 76 minutes after a brilliant one-two between Ademola Lookman and Antoine Griezmann.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

It took the one-two punch of Paris and Milan to restore the luster of the Olympic rings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026

William Saliba plays a one-two with Saka and Zubimendi runs into a right-wing position vacated by Saka before finding Viktor Gyokeres.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

If the idea was to de-ice Melania for viewers and, in turn, make them forget about the allegations against Ratner, this one-two punch in the film’s first 10 minutes only portends glorious failure.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2026

“It’s like this,” Nora says, tapping a straight one-two beat on the back of my seat.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

Related Words

• blow
• jab
• shot
• slap
• stroke