face off
Go head-to-head
Face off means to confront or compete directly against an opponent.
The term comes from hockey, where play begins with two players facing each other for a puck drop—that confrontation is a face-off.
The meaning has spread to any direct showdown: The two candidates will face off in tonight's debate.
It's time for the final face-off.
Decisive final confrontation
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- conflictOpposition between parties
- stare downDefeat by sustained gaze
tension · hostility · rivalry · opposition · adversaries · opponents · challenge · dispute
Hockey game's commencement
- center iceHockey rink's middle zone
- linesmanSideline sports official
- stickhandlingManeuvering puck with hockey stick
- rinkEnclosed skating surface
skates · powerplay · penalty box · overtime · goalie · icing · slapshot · breakaway
Scheduled competitive pairing
- contestOrganized competitive event
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- finalsConcluding tests or matches
semifinals · bracket · elimination · playoffs · competitors · rivals · versus · head-to-head
Scheduled honor combat
- secondsTime units, or extras
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- affair of honorCombat over reputation
- swordsEdged fighting weapons
fencing · en garde · Hamilton · quick draw · high noon · sabers · gloves · challenged
showdown
Decisive final confrontation
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- conflictOpposition between parties
stare down · tension · hostility · rivalry · opposition · adversaries · opponents · challenge · dispute · friction
puck drop
Hockey game's commencement
- center iceHockey rink's middle zone
- linesmanSideline sports official
- stickhandlingManeuvering puck with hockey stick
rink · skates · powerplay · penalty box · overtime · goalie · icing · slapshot · breakaway · forecheck
matchup
Scheduled competitive pairing
- contestOrganized competitive event
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- championshipCompetition for top rank
finals · semifinals · bracket · elimination · playoffs · competitors · rivals · versus · head-to-head · scoreboard
pistols at dawn
Scheduled honor combat
- secondsTime units, or extras
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- affair of honorCombat over reputation
swords · fencing · en garde · Hamilton · quick draw · high noon · sabers · gloves · challenged · field of honor
- tournamentstournament, tournaments, bracket, brackets, tournament brackets
- competitioncompete, competitor, contender, winner, sports
- hockeypuck, hockey, ice hockey, pucks, field hockey
- comparisonscomparison, compare, comparative, analogy, metaphor
- confrontationsargue, fight, clash, quarrel, dispute
- sports idiomsdrop the ball, throw in the towel, slam dunk, out of left field, level playing field
face offcooperate
Work jointly with others
collaborate · team up · join forces · work together · unite
face offmake peace
Resolve conflict between parties
reconcile · make up · settle · come to terms · bury the hatchet
face, off, surface, facing, faced, faces, facial, deface, interface