hand-to-hand

UK: /ˌhændtəˈhænd/ US: (hand′tə hand′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ˈhand-to-ˈhand,  adj. 

1. close to one's enemy or opponent;
   at close quarters:
   hand-to-hand combat.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

hand-to-hand  (hand′tə hand′), adj. 

1. close to one's adversary;
   at close quarters:
   hand-to-hand combat.

• late Middle English 1400–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hand-to-hand adjective , adverb

1. at close quarters