showdown

American  

[shoh-doun] / ˈʃoʊˌdaʊn /

noun

1. the laying down of one's cards, face upward, in a card game, especially poker.

2. a conclusive settlement of an issue, difference, etc., in which all resources, power, or the like, are used; decisive confrontation.

   An international showdown was inevitable.

   Synonyms:

   clash, encounter, climax, crisis

---

showdown British  

/ ˈʃəʊˌdaʊn /

noun

1. informal an action that brings matters to a head or acts as a conclusion or point of decision

2. poker the exposing of the cards in the players' hands on the table at the end of the game

---

Etymology

Origin of showdown

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; show + down ¹

Example Sentences

Australia skipper Steve Smith said Thursday he will have a drink with Ben Stokes and reflect on a "fun" Ashes series, while praising his team for adapting to all scenarios in winning the five-Test showdown.

From Barron's

"This is beginning to feel a little bit like 'La La Land' versus 'Moonlight' again," he said, referring to the 2017 Oscars showdown.

From Barron's

The December 28 showdown, with modified rules to balance up any physical inequalities between the two players, bore little resemblance to the era-defining 1973 encounter between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.

From Barron's

Quentin Lake, the Rams’ defensive captain, could be the catalyst that helps mend the Rams’ tattered secondary ahead of their wild-card showdown with the Carolina Panthers on Saturday.

From Los Angeles Times

But the Griffins, loaded with backups from last season and members of a good junior varsity team, are 8-6 going into an early Sunset League showdown with 16-1 Corona del Mar on Monday.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clash
• crisis