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mano a mano 

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.
"Come Hotshot think you can take me at Multiplayer goldeneye? Huh? Ok just you and me Mano a Mano"
mano a mano by Jack Karch May 31, 2006

mano y mano 

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."
Yo, bring it, you and me buddie! mano y mano, I' take you down!
mano y mano by ccaCrab May 6, 2008

mano e mano 

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".
In Spanish bullfights, the two matadors compete mano e mano for the admiration of the audience.
mano e mano by gp26 December 6, 2010

mano-a-mano

A Portuguese expression to describe a fight between two people
Vamos andar à porrada, tu e eu, mano-a-mano
mano-a-mano by HistoriaViva September 10, 2018

mano e mano 

man to man, one on one, usually used in the context of a physical confrontation / altercation between two gentlemen.
okay, buddy, you and me, mano e mano.
mano e mano by themarcuscreature February 21, 2005

mano a mano 

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.
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.
mano a mano by pino-il-siracusano November 3, 2018
More from Urban Dictionary

Oblication 

A vacation, feeling more like an obligation, that involves visiting or staying with family.
So Joe where are you taking the kids for spring break vacation? We are going on an oblication to Boca to visit my mother-in-law.
Oblication by kimmerr May 5, 2011
Word of the Day on October 25, 2026

Surf Dracula Syndrome 

A phenomenon in film/television series, most notably streaming series, where the main premise is drawn out to such a point that it takes an entire season or more to get the parts of the series the audience is actually interested in seeing.

For example, if a series is titled "Surf Dracula," a majority of viewers would tune in expecting to see Dracula surfing by the first or second episode. However, the entire first season would instead be tedious padding and backstory before finally ending with Dracula surfing in the last five minutes of the season finale.
I watched "Smallville" on Netflix the other day. Dude, it was ten seasons of filler before he finally flew! Major Surf Dracula Syndrome!
Word of the Day on October 24, 2026

Northstarring

Finding your way back to the truth by fixing on one verified fact and working out from there, the way you navigate by the North Star when everything around you is spinning.
Rumours were flying everywhere, so she went northstarring — one checked fact at a time.
Northstarring by Light Bearer October 22, 2026
Word of the Day on October 23, 2026

Plate of Brown 

A plate of brown consists of foods that have little to no nutritional value, and are typically deep fried. A true plate of brown will also be accompanied by a dark soda.
Wanna go to meal hall & grab a plate of brown?
Plate of Brown by Cheddar Craigson September 18, 2020
Word of the Day on October 22, 2026

Larpenomics

When finance content creators rent out fancy cars and flex cash to seem richer than they really are in order to promote and sell their “get rich quick” courses.
Andrew Tate has mastered the field of larpenomics
Larpenomics by Rbois09 October 21, 2026
Word of the Day on October 21, 2026

Palmela Handerson 

Your hand that you masturbate with.
Girlfriend: What are you going to do for the next week while I'm on holiday?

Boyfriend: Have a visit from Palmela Handerson of course!
Word of the Day on October 20, 2026
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