mano a mano

[ Spanish mah-naw ah mah-naw; English mah-noh uh mah-noh ]

noun

, plural ma·nos a ma·nos [mah, -naws ah , mah, -naws, mah, -noh , uh, , mah, -nohz, mah, -nohz , uh, , mah, -nohz]

1. (italics) Spanish. a corrida in which two matadors alternate in fighting two or three bulls each.
2. a direct confrontation or conflict; head-on competition; duel.

adjective

1. being or resembling such a confrontation:

   a mano a mano struggle in the courtroom between two superb criminal lawyers.

adverb

1. in direct competition or rivalry:

   a brash newcomer in tennis taking on the reigning champion mano a mano.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mano a mano¹

< Spanish: on an equal footing, without advantage (to either of two contestants); literally, hand to hand

Example Sentences

Clearly, this pushed the mano a mano contest to a new level of provocation that Branson, always a consummate carnival barker, was unable to ignore.

From The Daily Beast

CNN wants emotions, theatrics, the stamping of feet, mano-a-mano anger, and outrage contests.

From The Daily Beast

“These mano-a-mano things always appeal to sports fans,” says Don Ohlmeyer, the former president of NBC Sports.

From The Daily Beast