Mano_a_mano
Alternative forms
Origin
Spanish, literally hand to hand; on equal footing, neither of two participants having any distinct advantage.
Full definition of mano_a_mano
Noun
mano a mano
- A head-on conflict or direct competition; a duel.''The other candidates seemed to disappear as the public debate became a heated mano-a-mano between the two leading candidates.
Adjective
mano_a_mano
- In close confrontation.''We sat tensely in the courtroom while the mano-a-mano struggle ensued between the two skilled lawyers.
Adverb
mano_a_mano
- Characterized by head-to-head competition or conflict.The newcomer brashly engaged the veteran player mano-a-mano.
Usage notes
This phrase is commonly misunderstood by English speakers who think that the term means “man to manâ€, though in use this meaning would still be similar.