mano a mano

Spanish - English

Definition of mano a mano in Spanish English dictionary

even steven

hand by hand

hand-to-hand

English - English

Definition of mano a mano in English English dictionary

In close confrontation

We sat tensely in the courtroom while the mano-a-mano struggle ensued between the two skilled lawyers.

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.

Characterized by head-to-head competition or conflict

The newcomer brashly engaged the veteran player mano-a-mano.

with only two people involved = one-to-one

Etymology

() Spanish, literally hand to hand; on equal footing, neither of two participants having any distinct advantage.