man-to-man

/ˌmæn.təˈmæn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌmæn.təˈmæn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈman-tə-ˈman/ (ame, mw)

man-to-man — adjective

1. describing a talk or meeting where two men speak openly to each other without hi

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describing a talk or meeting where two men speak openly to each other without hiding what they really think

例句

After the missed payment, Ziad asked for a man-to-man talk with Jude.

man-to-man talk for a direct private discussion

Christopher gave his teenage son some man-to-man advice before the school trip.

man-to-man advice before an important event

同義詞
  • frank

    broader and can describe any honest style, not only a private talk between two men

  • candid

    slightly more formal and often focuses on speaking truthfully without hiding feelings

  • direct

    stresses plain speech, but does not imply the same private personal setting

反義詞
  • guarded

    careful not to reveal what one really thinks

  • evasive

    avoids answering clearly or honestly

文法句型

a man-to-man talk

a man-to-man conversation

a man-to-man chat

用法筆記

Usually comes before nouns such as talk, chat, conversation, or advice. The phrase sounds old-fashioned and gender-specific, so many speakers choose frank or private in wider situations.

常見錯誤

❌We had a man-to-man with the whole class.
✅We had a frank talk with the whole class.
💡man-to-man normally refers to a direct exchange between two men, not a group discussion.
❌Mina asked for a man-to-man chat with her sister.
✅Mina asked for a frank chat with her sister.
💡the phrase is gender-specific and is not the natural choice for two women.

2. describing a defending system in games such as basketball where each player stay

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describing a defending system in games such as basketball where each player stays with one opponent instead of covering an area

例句

The Lions switched to man-to-man defense after the visitors hit three threes.

switch to man-to-man defense during a game

Coach Eri drilled a man-to-man press before the regional final.

man-to-man press in practice

同義詞
  • one-on-one

    common in basketball and emphasizes each defender taking a single attacker

  • tight-marking

    focuses on staying close to an opponent, especially in football

  • player-to-player

    descriptive but less fixed than the usual sports term man-to-man

反義詞
  • zone

    players defend parts of the court or field instead of a single opponent

  • zonal

    describes area-based defense rather than player-based marking

文法句型

man-to-man defense

man-to-man marking

stay man-to-man

用法筆記

Common in basketball, football, and similar team sports. It contrasts with zone defense, where players protect spaces instead of following one opponent.

常見錯誤

❌The team used man-to-man to cover the whole left side.
✅The team used zone defense to cover the whole left side.
💡man-to-man assigns players to opponents, not to areas.
❌Our striker played man-to-man against the goal.
✅Our defender played man-to-man against their striker.
💡the system describes marking an opposing player, not guarding a place.