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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The Trojans went toe-to-toe with Bedford North Lawrence in Saturday's Class 4A semistate semifinal at Southport, recovering from a rocky start to remain within reach late in regulation. Brian Haenchen, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Feb. 2023

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'toe-to-toe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Dictionary Entries Near 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 23 Mar. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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