man-to-man

1 of 2

adjective

ˈman-tə-ˈman 

1

: characterized by frankness and honesty

—usually used of a discussion between two men

a man-to-man talk

2

: of, relating to, or being a system of defense (as in football or basketball) in which each defensive player guards a specified opponent

He had taken man-to-man defense to a new level of sophistication …

—John Feinstein

The Packers under Lombardi were just about a pure man-to-man defensive team.

—Paul Zimmerman

man-to-man adverb

or less commonly man to man

Let's be reasonable and discuss this man-to-man.

Strongmen bring a distinct style to international diplomacy. They tend to want to sort things out man-to-man, rather than relying on institutions or international law.

—Gideon Rachman

After employing a zone defense in recent games, the Bruins came out playing man-to-man and it paid dividends.

—Beth Harris

man-to-man

2 of 2

noun

1

: a frank discussion especially between two men : a man-to-man talk

had a man-to-man with a friend about his problems

She [Vermont DOC consultant Kathleen Patten] believes conversations between victims and offenders can offset the sometimes-harmful separation the two sides experience during legal proceedings. "The court experience is really tough for people," she says. "A man-to-man isn't allowed. …"

—Cathy Resmer

2

: a system of defense (as in football or basketball) in which each defensive player guards a specified opponent : man-to-man defense

[Lathan] Ransom is an aggressive run defender from the safety position, and he also does a good job as a free-roaming safety in pass coverage. He's great in zone coverage on defense, but he can also play some man-to-man out on the perimeter.

—Nathanael Rutherford

Examples of man-to-man in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Blazers had switched to a man-to-man defense after playing zone most of the game, and Jay Pal had the ball at the top. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024

Despite finishing third in points allowed, the 49ers never seemed to find a defensive personality, vacillating from an aggressive blitzing team with elements of man-to-man to one that relies on front-four pressure and top-down zone defense in the secondary. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2024

The Bears are coming off a 62-54 road win against TCU in which the Bears, who played man-to-man defense against KU all but three possessions, went zone the entire game against the Horned Frogs. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024

On Tuesday, the Commodores took a 35-31 halftime lead after the Razorbacks shot 1 of 17 from the field in the last 11:54 of the half after Vanderbilt switched from a man-to-man to zone defense. —Bob Holt, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2024

The Gators ran a zone, went man-to-man, pressed and even tried a half court trap just to try to defend Riordan’s high-powered offense. —Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2024

Pressure man-to-man defense forced 11 Dundalk turnovers and Welch had four steals and DeWitt had three in the first quarter. —Craig J. Clary, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2024

The Eagles were just as scrappy — if not more than North Carolina — with ball pressure and man-to-man defense. —Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 26 Jan. 2024

But with a lackluster supporting cast around that duo, the Chiefs prefer to face man-to-man defenses (often stemming from a blitz) than zone looks. —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2024

Noun

And when Musketeers coach Sean Miller traded out a man-to-man defense for a zone, the Longhorns began to pound the ball to Bishop in the paint. —Dave Skretta, Chron, 24 Mar. 2023

Playing predominantly in-your-grill, man-to-man D, the Toreros limited UCI to 29.9 percent shooting, 20 of 67. —Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2023

Alabama played a tight man-to-man, converging on the rim whenever a black jersey would drive toward it. —Nick Alvarez | [e-mail], al, 11 Mar. 2023

Besides its physical man-to-man defense, Iowa State pounded the boards, outrebounding Baylor 44-17. —Chuck Carlton, Dallas News, 9 Mar. 2023

Recap:Grand Canyon falls flat in home basketball finale in loss to Seattle U This time, the Lopes got down 21-7 out of zone defense, then recovered, after shifting to a man-to-man. —Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 2 Mar. 2023

The teams engaged at a breakneck pace the rest of the way as the Panthers oscillated between the trap and man-to-man press the length of the floor. —Journal Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2023

Historical moment:Hank Foster was Butler's first Black player DePaul adjusts on defense, Butler's offense counters DePaul started in an aggressive man-to-man defense, denying everything. —Akeem Glaspie, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2023

In order to shake things up, Burke coach Sean Ryan went to a man-to-man defense, a rare move from a team with limited depth that typically plays zone. —Nate Weitzer, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 2