The term is Spanish and literally means "Hand to Hand" as in unarmed combat. However in its modern incarnation the term is used in any scenario where two (usually male) individuals are going to have some sort of competition. Eg Darts, Snooker, an actual fight, even videogames. It is rarely a serious threat.
by Jack Karch May 29, 2006
mano a mano; mano mano; man mano
As far as Italians are concerned these expressions (freely exchangeable) have only one use and meaning, the origin of which - most likely - has to do with the way in old times people used to measure short distances by using an open hand.
You put a hand widely open beside another end moving on as you take measures. From this habit in old times may have arisen the idea of following an event - shal we say - "step-by-step" (if you're measuring long distances) ... or similarly "hand-by-hand" (if you're measuring, say, a cloth or a stick of wood, etc.).
By extension, every time an Italian wants to mean following something very closely and at every new event uses this expression.
I mark on the wall my child's height as (mano a mano) he grows.
As far as Italians are concerned these expressions (freely exchangeable) have only one use and meaning, the origin of which - most likely - has to do with the way in old times people used to measure short distances by using an open hand.
You put a hand widely open beside another end moving on as you take measures. From this habit in old times may have arisen the idea of following an event - shal we say - "step-by-step" (if you're measuring long distances) ... or similarly "hand-by-hand" (if you're measuring, say, a cloth or a stick of wood, etc.).
By extension, every time an Italian wants to mean following something very closely and at every new event uses this expression.
I mark on the wall my child's height as (mano a mano) he grows.
Segno sul muro l'altezza di mio figlio MANO A MANO che cresce.
I mark on the wall my child's height (continuosly) AS he grows.
I mark on the wall my child's height (continuosly) AS he grows.
by pino-il-siracusano November 3, 2018
mano a mano is when two close mates go toe to toe to break down some deep conversations. often spoken over some chalk.
e.g. you have a bag yet the party finishes and you look over at your best mate and his misses. the misses is tired and he gives you a nod that says he’s putting her to bed. he then proceeds to look over at you.
e.g. you have a bag yet the party finishes and you look over at your best mate and his misses. the misses is tired and he gives you a nod that says he’s putting her to bed. he then proceeds to look over at you.
“just me and you pal”
“guess we are going mano a mano then”
*they proceed to break down some universal topics”
“guess we are going mano a mano then”
*they proceed to break down some universal topics”
by jewntymase June 26, 2023
by HistoriaViva September 10, 2018
This expression could come either from italian or spanish, it literally means "hand to hand" and it is used to indicate an argue, a verbal fight between two people.
"I had a mano a mano with John yesterday, i hate when he talks to me like that."
"You and John should stop with those head to head discussions..."
"You and John should stop with those head to head discussions..."
by Tobeeto dudy flappucine March 24, 2017
Yet another humerous film quip has sailed over the heads of the gibbering, slack jawed, troglodytes to enter the vernacular, sans humor.
"mano y mano" is Spanish for hand AND hand. Used for comedic effect, to imply mental simplicity, in several films. (Other variants include "mono y mono", Spanish for monkey and monkey = malapropism el mejor)
("MANO A MANO" is Spanish for hand TO hand - combat...
This is the actual phrase that is so often mutilated)
"He dun call me ig'nint!"
"Reeallly, ignorant of what? Where would one start."
"mano y mano" is Spanish for hand AND hand. Used for comedic effect, to imply mental simplicity, in several films. (Other variants include "mono y mono", Spanish for monkey and monkey = malapropism el mejor)
("MANO A MANO" is Spanish for hand TO hand - combat...
This is the actual phrase that is so often mutilated)
"He dun call me ig'nint!"
"Reeallly, ignorant of what? Where would one start."
by ccaCrab April 24, 2008
Spanish for "hand-to-hand". Used most commonly for a competition between two people - often in hand to hand combat.
The phrase is often mistakenly thought by English speaking people to mean "man-to-man".
The phrase is often mistakenly thought by English speaking people to mean "man-to-man".
by gp26 December 6, 2010