man-to-man

1 of 2

adjective

ˈman-tə-ˈman 

1

: characterized by frankness and honesty

—usually used of a discussion between two men

a man-to-man talk

2

: of, relating to, or being a system of defense (as in football or basketball) in which each defensive player guards a specified opponent

He had taken man-to-man defense to a new level of sophistication …

—John Feinstein

The Packers under Lombardi were just about a pure man-to-man defensive team.

—Paul Zimmerman

man-to-man adverb

or less commonly man to man

Let's be reasonable and discuss this man-to-man.

Strongmen bring a distinct style to international diplomacy. They tend to want to sort things out man-to-man, rather than relying on institutions or international law.

—Gideon Rachman

After employing a zone defense in recent games, the Bruins came out playing man-to-man and it paid dividends.

—Beth Harris

man-to-man

2 of 2

noun

1

: a frank discussion especially between two men : a man-to-man talk

had a man-to-man with a friend about his problems

She [Vermont DOC consultant Kathleen Patten] believes conversations between victims and offenders can offset the sometimes-harmful separation the two sides experience during legal proceedings. "The court experience is really tough for people," she says. "A man-to-man isn't allowed. …"

—Cathy Resmer

2

: a system of defense (as in football or basketball) in which each defensive player guards a specified opponent : man-to-man defense

[Lathan] Ransom is an aggressive run defender from the safety position, and he also does a good job as a free-roaming safety in pass coverage. He's great in zone coverage on defense, but he can also play some man-to-man out on the perimeter.

—Nathanael Rutherford

Examples of man-to-man in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Teams have found success against the Niners’ offense playing tight man-to-man coverage this season. —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024

With the ball near midfield, Mahomes expected the Panthers secondary to play man-to-man coverage. —Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024

Noun

And when Musketeers coach Sean Miller traded out a man-to-man defense for a zone, the Longhorns began to pound the ball to Bishop in the paint. —Dave Skretta, Chron, 24 Mar. 2023

Playing predominantly in-your-grill, man-to-man D, the Toreros limited UCI to 29.9 percent shooting, 20 of 67. —Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 2