toe to toe

1 of 2

phrase

: facing one another

toe-to-toe

2 of 2

adjective or adverb

ˈtō-ˌtə-ˈtō 

: slugging it out at or as if at close range

a toe-to-toe confrontation over the new policy

Synonyms of toe to toe

Adjective or adverb

• head-to-head
• one-on-one
• head-on
• face-to-face
• eyeball-to-eyeball

Examples of toe to toe in a Sentence

Adjective or adverb

mom-and-pop grocery stores are usually wildly outmatched when they go toe-to-toe with large chain stores

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

A step in the right direction Minnesota United is on the edge of the playoff picture, meaning Sporting didn’t exactly go toe to toe with an MLS powerhouse. — Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

This merger is designed to make a stronger linear television company and to make a stronger theatrical producer and to create a true competitor in streaming that can go toe to toe with a Netflix or a Disney or a Prime [Video]. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 July 2026

Adjective or adverb

The team will go toe-to-toe with several dangerous foes on their journey, including the manticore, Nemean lion, and the gigantic automaton Talos. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 21 July 2026

On Sunday, July 19, Argentina and Spain go toe-to-toe to determine the 2026 FIFA World Cup champion. — Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective Or Adverb

circa 1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for toe to toe

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau