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.
Beijing imposed 50 percent retaliatory tariffs Wednesday on U.S. imports, which comes on top of a 34 percent levy introduced last week in a toe-to-toe battle with President Trump. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025 Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith went toe-to-toe in the Ultimate Pool Women's Pro Series Event 2 at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025 But whereas Brighton often go toe-to-toe stylistically with their more illustrious opponents, the manner in which Forest have achieved their results is even more remarkable. Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025 Whatever the weather, Hadid is the ultimate pro with outerwear—Jennifer Lawrence, of course, is one of few who can sartorially go toe-to-toe. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Toe-to-toe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toe-to-toe. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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