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.
二人の一騎打ちになった。
It came down to a showdown between the two.
選挙は与党と野党の一騎打ちだった。
The election was a head-to-head contest between the ruling and opposition parties.
決勝は昨年のチャンピオンとの一騎打ちで、最後まで目が離せなかった。
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.
一騎打ち originally referred to single combat between mounted warriors (騎 means "mounted rider") in medieval Japan. Today it is used almost entirely in its figurative sense.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 一騎打ちになる (come down to a showdown)
- 一騎打ちを演じる (put on a one-on-one battle)
- 事実上の一騎打ち (a de facto showdown)
USAGE NOTES:
- Very common in politics (選挙の一騎打ち) and sports reporting
- Always implies exactly two competitors, not a broader contest
- Carries a dramatic, high-stakes nuance