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.

toe-to-toe

adverb

1. in one-to-one combat or in direct competition

   there 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 other

   a toe-to-toe battle

noun

1. a fight, confrontation, or contest between two people or groups

Word History and Origins

Origin of toe-to-toe¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Two Wal-Mart customers went toe-to-toe over a TV during an early Black Friday sale Thursday night.

From The Daily Beast

“Oh, he can go more than toe-to-toe, he leads the way,” says Williams.

From The Daily Beast

Aggression has always been the name of the game for Williams, who has few rivals who can hit with her toe-to-toe.

From The Daily Beast

Who is this woman going toe-to-toe with Wintour, when all others appear to tremble, and who excels because of it?

From The Daily Beast

The president defused another toe-to-toe confrontation with humor.

From The Daily Beast

But Old Joe was a scientific boxer who knew better than to stand toe-to-toe and trade punches.

From Project Gutenberg

In this kind of toe-to-toe fight the greater speed of a lightly armored fighter was not much advantage.

From Project Gutenberg