An Americanism dating back to 1965–70
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
"I can't wait," O'Reilly, who will probably have to defend against Messi one-on-one if he starts at left-back, told BBC Radio 5 Live.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 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
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
He’s actually not so bad in the group text most of the time, but one-on-one?
From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
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
All three players are such a threat once they get one on one in wide areas, and whoever plays full-back for the Gunners will need to bring their 'A game' with them.
From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2026
He’d tell anyone and everyone he could beat you one on one.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 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
At long last, my mother and father could again talk with each other one on one.
From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson
“You can’t double cover everybody,” Robinson said, adding, “Those guys get a lot of double coverage, so that leaves me with a lot of one-on-ones and Matthew was able to see that.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2024
Two one-on-ones were saved by Ederson and he ballooned another shot over from inside the box.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2024
They have had some wins in the one-on-ones with defensive linemen that we’ve seen the past two days since pads went on.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 2, 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.
