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

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]