man-to-man

1 of 2

adjective

ˈman-tə-ˈman

: characterized by frankness and honesty

—usually used of a discussion between two men

a man-to-man talk

: of, relating to, or being a system of defense (as in football or basketball) in which each defensive player guards a specified opponent

He had taken man-to-man defense to a new level of sophistication …—

John Feinstein

The Packers under Lombardi were just about a pure man-to-man defensive team.—

Paul Zimmerman

man-to-man adverb

or less commonly man to man

Let's be reasonable and discuss this man-to-man.

Strongmen bring a distinct style to international diplomacy. They tend to want to sort things out man-to-man, rather than relying on institutions or international law. —

Gideon Rachman

After employing a zone defense in recent games, the Bruins came out playing man-to-man and it paid dividends. —

Beth Harris

man-to-man

2 of 2

noun

: a frank discussion especially between two men : a man-to-man talk

had a man-to-man with a friend about his problems

She [Vermont DOC consultant Kathleen Patten] believes conversations between victims and offenders can offset the sometimes-harmful separation the two sides experience during legal proceedings. "The court experience is really tough for people," she says. "A man-to-man isn't allowed. …"—

Cathy Resmer

: a system of defense (as in football or basketball) in which each defensive player guards a specified opponent : man-to-man defense

[Lathan] Ransom is an aggressive run defender from the safety position, and he also does a good job as a free-roaming safety in pass coverage. He's great in zone coverage on defense, but he can also play some man-to-man out on the perimeter.—

Nathanael Rutherford

Examples of man-to-man in a Sentence

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.

Adjective

Superfan Jack Hoffman Tragically Passes Away at 19 Notre Dame plays a ton of man-to-man, which is ripe for Ohio State's offense. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025 Dell was covered man-to-man but Stroud tried to force the ball to tight end Dalton Schultz underneath and the pass was broken up. —

Ted Nguyen, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025

Noun

And when Musketeers coach Sean Miller traded out a man-to-man defense for a zone, the Longhorns began to pound the ball to Bishop in the paint. —

Dave Skretta, Chron, 24 Mar. 2023 Playing predominantly in-your-grill, man-to-man D, the Toreros limited UCI to 29.9 percent shooting, 20 of 67. —

Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for man-to-man