toe-to-toe

adjective or adverb

: slugging it out at or as if at close range
a toe-to-toe confrontation over the new policy

Examples of toe-to-toe in a Sentence

mom-and-pop grocery stores are usually wildly outmatched when they go toe-to-toe with large chain stores
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Next Wednesday will see two sides who have underperformed in the Premier League this season go toe-to-toe in the Europa League final. The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 17 May 2025 That right there would probably be enough for a lifetime’s worth of Flex bombs, but, then, in the mid-2000s, Styles went on a run of freestyles and mixtapes that can go toe-to-toe with the best of that moment. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 16 May 2025 Harvard is clearly starting to feel the effect of going toe-to-toe with the Trump administration. Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025 Directed by Rob Reiner, the Oscar-winning classic sees Cruise go toe-to-toe with Jack Nicholson. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for toe-to-toe

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toe-to-toe was circa 1942

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Cite this Entry

“Toe-to-toe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toe-to-toe. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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