一騎打(いっきう)ち

いっきうち
noun
one-on-one fight, showdown
1. one-on-one fight, duel, showdown
Originally a duel between two mounted warriors, now used figuratively to describe a direct contest or showdown between two rivals, teams, or candidates.
二人(ふたり)の一騎打(いっきう)ちになった。
It came down to a showdown between the two.
選挙(せんきょ)は与党(よとう)と野党(やとう)の一騎打(いっきう)ちだった。
The election was a head-to-head contest between the ruling and opposition parties.
決勝(けっしょう)は昨年(さくねん)のチャンピオンとの一騎打(いっきう)ちで、最後(さいご)まで目(め)が離(はな)せなかった。
The final was a one-on-one battle with last year's champion, and I couldn't take my eyes off it until the end.

一騎打(いっきう)ち originally referred to single combat between mounted warriors (騎(き) means "mounted rider") in medieval Japan. Today it is used almost entirely in its figurative sense.

Common collocations

Usage

  • Very common in politics (選挙(せんきょ)の一騎打(いっきう)ち) and sports reporting
  • Always implies exactly two competitors, not a broader contest
  • Carries a dramatic, high-stakes nuance
general
Added 2026.2.15 9:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
11000/11186_ikkiuchi