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.
Eventually, Kraven became powerful enough to stand toe-to-toe with Spider-Man. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024 The intense first half of the episode saw Clark (Tyler Hoechlin) go toe-to-toe with not only Michael Cudlitz’s Lex Luthor but also defeat Doomsday, with the help of his sons Jordan (Alexander Garfin) and Jonathan (Michael Bishop). Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024 That’s because fans can’t seem to stop taking photos and recording full, minutes-long clips of Erivo and her co-star Ariana Grande going toe-to-toe in the Emerald City. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024 The formidable characters have faced off toe-to-toe in the past. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024 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

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 17 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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