head to head

head to head

Describing a one-on-one matchup or comparison. When looked at head to head, these two players really bring similar defensive abilities to our team. I'm going head to head against last year's spelling bee champion, of course I'm nervous! I'm looking at the two job offers head to head, and I still can't make a decision!
See also: head
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

head-to-head

If people or groups have head-to-head talks or meetings, they meet to discuss the subjects they disagree about. They have just begun a third session of head to head talks which are expected to last until late afternoon. Note: If you talk head-to-head with someone, you talk to them directly. The photo showed the two leaders talking head-to-head. Note: A head-to-head is a discussion or argument. Next time you have a head-to-head with someone in authority, watch your language. Compare with go head to head.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

(go) head-to-ˈhead (with somebody)

(deal with somebody) in a very direct and determined way, especially in a competition between two people, organizations, etc: They are set to meet head-to-head in next week’s final.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • head-to-head
  • go head to head
  • have a gun to (one's) head
  • have a gun to your head
  • hatrack
  • (one's) head is more than just a hat rack
  • a head
  • mop head
  • head in
  • head for the setting sun
References in periodicals archive
In the Southern Governorate, Ahmed Al Mulla is contesting the run off head to head with his opponent Sharekh Al Dosary.
Parliamentary and Municipal Elections - Second Round
Each district will be represented by one household, with all eight going head to head over a series of three fortnightly challenges.
Families set for green contest
The final best choirs will then go head to head for the title of Choir of the Year, Grand Final to be held at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff on December 10.
Choirs gather at Millennium Centre as Aled hosts show
Jesus and Pilate are staring each other down as the kingdom of God goes head to head with the kingdoms of the world.
The reign of Christ November 23, 2003
A low-frequency noise component, indicative of non-ideal magnetization structure and domain wall motion, varied considerably from head to head. The strength of the peaks, and to a lesser extent, the frequency positions of the peaks, also varied from head to head.
NIST uses high-frequency noise to characterize commercial recording heads
TV'S POPSTARS bands finally go head to head tomorrow as they launch bids for their ultimate goal - a Christmas number one with their debut singles.
Battle commences for Christmas number one
It will offer cross-vendor compatibility, as well as unified service and management capabilities, and will go head to head with market leader RedHat.
Cross your fingers: 2003 actually looks positive: Cisco, Oracle, Intel, IBM, Microsoft all rebounding
NEW YORK Nickelodeon's first original Saturday morning show, "SpongeBob SquarePants," featuring the escapades of an animated sea sponge, will compete head to head with the hottest kids series on TV, the WB's "Pokemon," beginning July 17 at 10 a.m.
`SpongeBob' to battle `Pokemon'
THE PRIME MINISTERIAL DEBATE (Thursday, Sky News, 8pm; BBC2, 11.30pm) is the second head to head to head.
WeekAhead
TWO heavyweight music festivals are going head to head this summer.
Events clash
Porto, Liverpool and Marseille would all have eight points, Marseille's head to head is better than Liverpool's, but Porto's head to head is better than Marseille's - so goal difference would come into the equation and Liverpool have the best goal difference in Group A.
Football: Euro fate in Reds' hands
Teenagers from across Wales will go head to head in an unusual sporting event later this month when they take up a rowing challenge.
Schools across Wales set to all pull together
The venue will play host to some of Newcastle's finest bartenders who will be showcasing their mixing skills and going head to head for the Newcastle Bartender of the Year award.
Bartenders to do battle
Facing Woods head to head for the first time in 18 months, Mickelson never looked back after birdies at four of the first seven holes.
Golf: Mickelson wins Woods battle
Sebastien loeb and Petter Solberg will go head to head at the Cardiff SuperSpecial on September 16 - the spectacular start of Wales Rally GB.
Title rivals clash