Expressions used in Everyday Spoken English in Social and Professional contexts
go toe-to-toe with (somebody)
go toe-to-toe with somebody
Meaning(s)
1) in direct competition or conflict with somebody
How to MemorizePopularity HighProfessional HighSocial
a toe-to-toe confrontation
Analysis
To 'go toe to toe with' someone means to directly oppose or be a worthy competitor for someone. This idiom is usually used in the figurative sense and usually means to argue or fight with someone in a very strong or determined way.
Professional Examples (Basic)
We need to be clever in how we take on our competitors because we're not strong enough to go toe-to-toe with them just yet.
It looks like I'll be going toe-to-toe with Rosanna for the vacant managerial position. I hope I can get the better of her!
I went toe-to-toe with Alex over the advertising campaign because I did not agree with the direction he was taking it in.
Social Examples (Basic)
We need to be clever in how we take on our competitors because we're not strong enough to go toe-to-toe with them just yet.
It looks like I'll be going toe-to-toe with Rosanna for the vacant managerial position.I hope I can get the better of her!
I went toe-to-toe with Alex over the advertising campaign because I did not agree with the direction he was taking it in.