MAH´-no ah MAH´-no
(Spanish for ‘hand to hand’)
Mano a mano refers to direct competition or conflict, especially between two people.
While the term can refer to actual physical fights, it is often used in a figurative sense.
For example, Texas Senator Ted Cruz challenged Donald Trump (they were both presidential candidates at the time) to a mano a mano debate in 2016.
Roger and Doug went mano a mano at the board meeting when the subject of CEO compensation came up.