toe to toe

1 of 2

phrase

: facing one another

toe-to-toe

2 of 2

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

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
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.
Adjective or adverb
Tournaments have been buzzing with quality teams going toe-to-toe, spreading holiday cheer in the names of some legendary figures that have touched each hockey community. Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 29 Dec. 2025 But for a character like Dion (Luke Manley), who also has to go toe-to-toe with Chalamet, Venditti and her team were instrumental in finding the right, and unexpected, person for the part. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 24 Dec. 2025 Lobo is one of Superman's biggest foes, and often goes toe-to-toe with the Last Son of Krypton in the comics. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025 Jasmine Crockett is going to go toe-to-toe. John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 10 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for toe to toe

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective Or Adverb

circa 1942, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Toe to toe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toe%20to%20toe. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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