toe-to-toe

American  

[toh-tuh-toh] / ˈtoʊ təˈtoʊ /

adjective

1. being in direct confrontation or opposition.

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adverb

1. in a position or attitude of direct confrontation.

   slugging it out toe-to-toe.

toe-to-toe British  

adverb

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

   there aren't many fighters willing to go toe-to-toe with him

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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

Etymology

Origin of toe-to-toe

First recorded in 1925–30

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

toe-to-toe

The pretenders came to Glasgow with a weak away record in the league - two wins in 11 between this season and the end of last, both against Hibs - and tried to go toe-to-toe.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

He once signed an little-known Polish winger by the name of Lukasz Piszczek and moulded him into one of the best right-backs in Europe who would go toe-to-toe with Cristiano Ronaldo in his prime.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

Zverev really went toe-to-toe with Sinner at Wimbledon, and in New York, he got stronger as the tournament went on.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

Dearica Hamby, who went six for nine, led the team with 17 points, but even she couldn’t go toe-to-toe with Johnson alone.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026

Incredible as it seemed, he apparently intended going toe-to-toe with the troll.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

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