Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Ice Hockey) The method of starting or restarting play: A face-off is the procedure where a referee drops the puck between the sticks of two opposing players to begin or resume a game.
   • A direct, hostile confrontation or disagreement: A face-off is a situation where two people or groups confront each other in a direct and often argumentative or antagonistic manner.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Sports):

  • The center won the face-off and passed the puck to his teammate.
  • After the penalty, the official called for a face-off in the neutral zone.

• Noun (Confrontation):

  • The debate turned into a tense face-off between the two candidates.
  • There was a public face-off between the company and the environmental activists.

Advanced Usage

• "to have a face-off with (someone)": to be in or enter into a direct confrontation with someone.
  • The union leader is scheduled to have a face-off with management over the new contract.

Variants and Related Words

• Face off (verb phrase): To engage in a confrontation or to prepare for a direct contest.
  • The two teams will face off in the championship game next week.
  • The politicians faced off in a televised debate.

Synonyms

• Confrontation: A hostile or argumentative meeting or situation.
• Showdown: A final confrontation to settle a dispute.
• Clash: A violent confrontation or a serious disagreement.

Related Phrases

• Stand-off: A deadlock or stalemate between two equally matched opponents, often implying a tense pause rather than a direct clash.
• Head-to-head: Directly competing against or confronting one another.

Noun

1. (ice hockey) the method of starting play; a referee drops the puck between two opposing players
2. a hostile disagreement face-to-face