one-on-one
/ˌwʌn ɒn ˈwʌn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌwʌn ɑːn ˈwʌn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌwən-ȯn-ˈwən ˌwən-än-/ (ame, mw) · /ˌwʌn.ɒnˈwʌn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌwʌn.ɑːnˈwʌn/ (ame, ipa)
one-on-one — adjective
1. describing an activity, talk, or lesson where only two people deal with each oth
describing an activity, talk, or lesson where only two people deal with each other directly.
Caleb asked for a one-on-one meeting after the team presentation.
collocation: one-on-one meeting
The tutor gives one-on-one feedback to every student before exams.
collocation: one-on-one feedback
Aylin prefers one-on-one lessons because she asks more questions.
The clinic offers one-on-one support for parents of newborn babies.
- private
broader; something private does not always involve exactly two people
- individual
common in education; stresses separate attention to each person
文法句型
one-on-one meeting
one-on-one lesson
one-on-one support
用法筆記
Usually placed before nouns like meeting, lesson, chat, feedback, or support. It emphasizes that no third person joins the interaction.
常見錯誤
2. describing sports play in which one player faces just one opponent rather than a
describing sports play in which one player faces just one opponent rather than a whole team at once.
In practice, Hiro worked on one-on-one defense against the fastest guard.
collocation: one-on-one defense
The coach set up one-on-one drills before the full scrimmage began.
collocation: one-on-one drills
Soraya won the one-on-one battle near the basket and scored.
This camp teaches one-on-one play to young football defenders.
- head-to-head
stresses direct competition between two sides
- man-to-man
mainly used for defensive marking in team sports
文法句型
one-on-one defense
one-on-one drill
one-on-one matchup
用法筆記
Common with defense, drill, battle, play, or matchup. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is specifically about sports opponents, not meetings or lessons.
常見錯誤
one-on-one — adverb
1. directly between two people, without other people joining the conversation or ex
directly between two people, without other people joining the conversation or exchange.
After the workshop, Lucía spoke one-on-one with the new volunteer.
collocation: speak one-on-one with someone
Quan wants to discuss the complaint one-on-one before Friday's staff meeting.
collocation: discuss something one-on-one
The doctor explained the test results one-on-one in a quiet room.
Michael talked one-on-one with the class teacher after the concert.
- privately
can suggest secrecy; one-on-one specifically means just two people
- face-to-face
emphasizes physical presence more than the absence of other people
- in public
done where other people are present
- as a group
with several people together rather than as a pair
文法句型
talk one-on-one
speak one-on-one
meet one-on-one
用法筆記
Usually follows verbs like talk, speak, discuss, or meet. It stresses direct contact between two people without a group audience.
常見錯誤
2. so that every player is paired with a single opponent instead of covering space
so that every player is paired with a single opponent instead of covering space as a unit.
Joshua defended the striker one-on-one for most of the second half.
collocation: defend someone one-on-one
The team struggled when the wingers were left one-on-one outside.
passive: be left one-on-one
Samir attacked one-on-one instead of passing to the open winger.
On the final play, the defender was isolated one-on-one near midfield.
- man-to-man
mainly about direct marking in team sports
- head-to-head
broader; can describe any direct contest between two sides
- zone
players defend areas instead of matching one opponent
- collectively
the whole side acts together rather than player by player
文法句型
defend one-on-one
go one-on-one
left one-on-one
用法筆記
Used in sports commentary after verbs like defend, attack, isolate, or leave. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about player matchups, not private discussion.
常見錯誤
one-on-one — noun
1. a private meeting or talk where only two people take part.
a private meeting or talk where only two people take part.
Élise scheduled a one-on-one with her supervisor before the annual review.
collocation: schedule a one-on-one
The principal uses weekly one-on-ones to hear teachers' concerns.
plural noun: weekly one-on-ones
William left the crowded lunchroom for a one-on-one with his brother.
Our designer asked for a quick one-on-one after the client call.
- private meeting
neutral and explicit; common in formal settings
- chat
more casual and less goal-focused
- consultation
more formal; often includes professional advice
- group meeting
includes several participants instead of two
- panel
discussion with multiple speakers rather than a pair
文法句型
have a one-on-one
schedule a one-on-one
weekly one-on-one
用法筆記
Often used in workplaces and schools for a short private meeting with a manager, teacher, or colleague. Both one-on-one and one-on-ones are common.