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

Example Sentences

"There's probably a level of arrogance of some of the teams thinking we can go toe-to-toe but then they concede goals really quickly."

From BBC

Others relish the chance to go toe-to-toe with a dealmaking foe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Those tracking expert predictions leading up to the 98th Academy Awards know the competition to watch is between “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another,” going toe-to-toe in 11 categories.

From Salon

“Once we started filming, we were on the same wavelength. We weren’t coming in and trying to go toe-to-toe and test each other, but we were collaborating and working towards the same goal.”

From Los Angeles Times

Before the face-off drama, a twitchy, stone-faced Dubois glanced around at the stained-glass windows as the managers went toe-to-toe backing their men.

From BBC