single combat

IPA/ˌsɪŋɡl ˈkɒmbæt/
IPA/ˌsɪŋɡl ˈkɑːmbæt/

single combat — noun

1. a fight in which just two people face each other directly, often with swords or

1.名詞C1
釋義

a fight in which just two people face each other directly, often with swords or other weapons, while everyone else watches.

例句

The two knights met in single combat to settle the long quarrel between their families.

in single combat for a one-on-one fight

Baraka challenged the enemy champion to single combat rather than send his soldiers to die.

challenge someone to single combat

同義詞
  • duel

    a formal one-on-one fight to settle a dispute, often with agreed rules and weapons

  • one-on-one fight

    plain, everyday wording for the same idea, without the historical or military tone

反義詞
  • pitched battle

    a large fight between two whole armies, the opposite of a two-person contest

文法句型

in single combat

challenge someone to single combat

用法筆記

Almost always uncountable and used with 'in' or after verbs like 'challenge', 'fight', or 'decide'. Strongly tied to historical, military, or heroic stories rather than everyday quarrels.

常見錯誤

❌They had a single combat in the street.
✅They fought in single combat.
💡it is uncountable, so do not use 'a' or make it plural.
❌a single combat between two armies
✅single combat between two men
💡single combat is between two individuals, never between groups.