One on one

Meaning

The idiom "one on one" refers to a situation where two people are involved in a personal or professional relationship, dealing directly with each other without any intermediaries. It can also refer to a private or intimate conversation between two individuals.

Usage

• The CEO decided to have a one-on-one meeting with the employees to discuss their concerns and feedback.
• The couple had a one-on-one date at the restaurant, where they enjoyed each other's company without any distractions.
• The athlete worked closely with his coach in one-on-one training sessions to improve his performance.
• The therapist conducted a one-on-one session with the patient to address their mental health issues.
• The negotiator met with the other party for a one-on-one meeting to discuss a potential deal.

Roots and History

The phrase "one on one" has been used in English since at least the 17th century, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. It was first recorded in 1632 as "in privato; between two persons," meaning "between two people in private." The idiom then evolved over time to refer specifically to a personal or professional relationship involving two individuals.

Synonyms in English

• One-on-one meeting
• Two-way conversation
• Face-to-face interaction
• Private conversation
• One-on-one counseling

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "en face à face" (meaning "directly opposite")
• Spanish: "uno a uno" (meaning "one to one")
• German: "einzeln" (meaning "individually")
• Italian: "un a un" (meaning "one to one")
• Japanese: "一人一会" (meaning "one person, one meeting")

Similar Idioms

• other half

• a dime a dozen

• own accord