toe to toe

1 of 2

phrase

Synonyms of toe to toenext
: facing one another

toe-to-toe

2 of 2

adjective or adverb

ˈtō-ˌtə-ˈtō How to pronounce toe-to-toe (audio)
: slugging it out at or as if at close range
a toe-to-toe confrontation over the new policy

Synonyms of toe to toe

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Adjective or adverb

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Examples of toe to toe in a Sentence

Adjective or adverb 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.
Phrase
The film centers on a debonair art thief (Jordan) who gos toe to toe with an insurance investigator smart enough to catch him (Adria Arjona). — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 29 July 2026 A step in the right direction Minnesota United is on the edge of the playoff picture, meaning Sporting didn’t exactly go toe to toe with an MLS powerhouse. — Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
Adjective or adverb
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 For a Chromebook that'll go toe-to-toe with Windows laptops significantly more expensive, our top pick is the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 31 July 2026 Against sides looking to go toe-to-toe with Arsenal, Vinicius Jr’s transitional, counter-attacking threat would make opponents think twice about committing bodies forward and could punish teams in the blink of an eye. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for toe to toe

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective Or Adverb

circa 1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toe to toe was circa 1942

Rhymes for toe to toe

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Browse Nearby Words

toetoe
toe to toe
toe-to-toe
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Cite this Entry

“Toe to toe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toe%20to%20toe. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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