# face off

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/face-off
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to confront an opponent

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to prepare for a competition, argument, or fight against another person or group.

For teachers: to take up a position of confrontation or competition against an opponent. The verb is intransitive and often followed by 'against'.

- The two presidential candidates will face off in a live debate tonight.
- The rival tech giants are expected to face off in court next month over a series of disputed patent claims regarding mobile hardware.

### 2. a confrontation or sports start

noun · CEFR B2

a competition or argument between two people; in sports like hockey, it is how the game starts.

For teachers: a direct confrontation between opposing parties; in ice hockey and lacrosse, the method of starting play by dropping the puck or ball between two players.

- The tense face-off between the protesters and the police lasted for several hours.
- The referee signaled for a face-off in the neutral zone after the puck was frozen against the boards by the defending team.

Usage: Often spelled with a hyphen (face-off) when used as a noun.

## Examples

- The two teams face off at the stadium tonight.
- The candidates are scheduled to face off in a televised debate next Tuesday to discuss economic policy.
- As the deadline approached, the union leaders and the management prepared to face off across the negotiating table for one final session.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: the term originates from ice hockey, where the referee drops the puck between two players to start play; this physical image helps students visualize the direct confrontation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.