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
Auckland are accustomed to being the imposing team and somewhat naively set up in their usual 4-3-3 formation against Bayern Munich, ready to go toe-to-toe with the German champions.
—
Elias Burke, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Even so, some Democrats argue the party also needs to stand toe-to-toe with Trump.
—James Oliphant, USA Today, 19 June 2025
None of it fazed Al Hilal, which went toe-to-toe with the Spanish soccer giants all afternoon on Wednesday, and came away with a surprising 1-1 draw in each team’s opening match in the Club World Cup.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
The food and beverage industry is full of men, and Anne would go toe-to-toe with the best of them.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for toe-to-toe
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.
Elias Burke, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Even so, some Democrats argue the party also needs to stand toe-to-toe with Trump.
—James Oliphant, USA Today, 19 June 2025
None of it fazed Al Hilal, which went toe-to-toe with the Spanish soccer giants all afternoon on Wednesday, and came away with a surprising 1-1 draw in each team’s opening match in the Club World Cup.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
The food and beverage industry is full of men, and Anne would go toe-to-toe with the best of them.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for toe-to-toe
Cite this Entry
“Toe-to-toe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toe-to-toe. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share