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definitions

toe-to-toe

[toh-tuh-toh]
adjective
  1. being in direct confrontation or opposition.
adverb
  1. in a position or attitude of direct confrontation: slugging it out toe-to-toe.

Origin of toe-to-toe

First recorded in 1925–30
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for toe to toe

toe-to-toe

adverb
  1. in one-to-one combat or in direct competitionthere aren't many fighters willing to go toe-to-toe with him
adjective
  1. (of battles, confrontations, or contests) involving two people or groups fighting with or competing against each othera toe-to-toe battle
noun
  1. a fight, confrontation, or contest between two people or groups
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012