one-on-one
[ wuhn-on-wuhn, -awn- ]
/ ˈwʌn ɒnˈwʌn, -ɔn- /
adjective
consisting of or involving direct individual competition, confrontation, or communication; person-to-person: a one-on-one discussion.
adverb
in direct encounter: I'd rather settle this with her one-on-one.
noun
a meeting or confrontation between two persons.
Idioms for one-on-one
go one-on-one with, Sports.
to play directly against (an opposing player).
Origin of one-on-one
An Americanism dating back to 1965–70
Words nearby one-on-one
one-many,
one-night stand,
one-nighter,
one-note,
one-off,
one-on-one,
one-one,
one-parent family,
one-piece,
one-point perspective,
one-reeler
British Dictionary definitions for one on one
one-on-one
adjective
denoting a relationship or encounter in which someone is involved with only one other person
a one-on-one meeting
Idioms and Phrases with one on one
one on one
A direct encounter between two persons, especially a conflict, as in The two department heads went one on one regarding shelf space. This slangy expression almost certainly comes from sports. It is commonly used to refer to a two-person basketball game, but is also applied to the interaction of two players on opposing teams in football, soccer, and similar team sports. [c. 1960]