one-two

[ wuhn-too ]

noun

1. Also called one-two punch. Boxing. a left-hand jab immediately followed by a right cross.
2. Informal. any strong or effective combination of two people or things:

   The old one-two of a good passer and a good receiver is the best way to win football games.

3. Fencing. a type of attack made up of two movements.

adjective

1. employing or suggesting a one-two; with one major or powerful thing or person combined with or following another.

one-two

noun

1. boxing a jab with the leading hand followed by a cross with the other hand
2. soccer another term for wall pass

Word History and Origins

Origin of one-two¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

And there was a time, prior to the one-two punch of Catwoman and Elektra, when superhero films were championed minority heroes.

From The Daily Beast

You can hear it all over Lazaretto, but especially in the one-two punch of "Temporary Ground" and "Would You Fight for My Love?"

From The Daily Beast

Victims and those who work with victims of sexual assault describe the pain as a one-two punch.

From The Daily Beast

Had it been a one-two result, could you imagine the sibling rivalry?

From The Daily Beast

Instead, they were both taken out in a one-two shot by supposed good guy Michael, in one of the biggest twists of the series.

From The Daily Beast

One—two— With a terrific crash, the window panes fell upon the desks; the floor shook beneath our feet.

From Project Gutenberg

And then one—two—three—four—five of the huge dodo-tetrapteryx birds shot out, poised for a moment, and leaped into flight.

From Project Gutenberg

"One—two—three—four—five, you are right," said Mr. Beresford.

From Project Gutenberg

Coulter did steady down in a most astonishing manner, for he sent the Yale men to the bench in one-two-three order.

From Project Gutenberg

Wash the plums and prick each one two or three times with a fork.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blow
• jab
• shot
• slap
• stroke