face-off

American  

[feys-awf, -of] / ˈfeɪsˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

Ice Hockey.

1. the act of facing the puck, as at the start of a game or period.

2. an open confrontation.

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face-off British  

noun

1. ice hockey the method of starting a game, in which the referee drops the puck, etc between two opposing players

2. a confrontation

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verb

1. to start play by (a face-off)

Etymology

Origin of face-off

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase face off

Example Sentences

But even an athlete as fierce as Jones accepts she may need to improve her game face when it comes to her upcoming face-off with Criss.

From BBC

Before the face-off drama, a twitchy, stone-faced Dubois glanced around at the stained-glass windows as the managers went toe-to-toe backing their men.

From BBC

The supporters at Santagiulia were partisan in favour of the Canadians, with the USA team roundly booed before face-off.

From BBC

From the opening face-off, it was immediately clear that a different Canada came ready for battle.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was looking as though we wouldn’t get a badly needed, monthslong, toe-to-toe face-off about all that’s right and wrong in the sprawling metropolis of high hopes and low expectations.

From Los Angeles Times