man-to-man
UK[ˌmæn tə ˈmæn]US[ˌmæn tə ˈmæn]
adj
Involving direct, honest, and private communication between two people, especially men.
adv
In a direct, honest, and private manner between two people.
Etymology
The phrase 'man-to-man' is a modern English compound that leverages the core meaning of 'man' as an individual person. Its formation follows a common pattern in English for creating adjectival or adverbial phrases that describe direct, one-on-one interaction, mirroring structures like 'face-to-face' or 'heart-to-heart'. The repetition of 'man' emphasizes the parity and equality between the two participants in the exchange. While the components are ancient, the specific idiomatic meaning—connoting frankness and sincerity, often in a masculine context—developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting cultural ideals of direct communication between men.
Analysis
This is a fixed compound phrase formed from the repetition of the word 'man', connected by the preposition 'to'. 'Man' originates from Old English 'mann' (meaning human being, person, adult male), from Proto-Germanic mann-. The preposition 'to' originates from Old English 'tō', a preposition indicating direction, contact, or relation.
Examples
The coach had a man-to-man talk with the player about his conduct.
They settled their disagreement man-to-man, without involving anyone else.
It's time for some man-to-man advice from someone who's been in your situation.