toe-to-toe

UK: /ˌtəʊtəˈtəʊ/ US: (tō′tə tō′)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

toe-to-toe  (tō′tə tō′), adj. 

1. being in direct confrontation or opposition.

adv. 

2. in a position or attitude of direct confrontation:
   slugging it out toe-to-toe.

• 1925–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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