Say it like this
- I have a one-on-one with my manager next Tuesday.
- Let's schedule a one-on-one to discuss this in more detail.
- We should do a one-on-one before the project kicks off.
Use it at work
Scheduling
- Can we move our one-on-one to Thursday?
- Let's set up a weekly one-on-one.
Preparing
- I'd like to talk about career growth in our one-on-one.
- I added a few topics to our one-on-one doc.
Being open
- Can we use part of our one-on-one for feedback?
- Anything on your mind for today's one-on-one?
Don't say this
One-on-one is a noun describing the meeting type, not a verb. Use 'have a one-on-one' or 'schedule a one-on-one'.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| one-on-one | Regular private talk with your manager | Manager and report | Weekly or biweekly |
| skip-level | Talk with your manager's manager | Employee and senior leader | Occasionally |
| check-in | Short catch-up | Anyone | Any time |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your manager wants to discuss your career growth. Which sentence is most natural?
2. I have a _______ with my tech lead on Friday afternoon to review the code changes.
3. Which sentence uses one-on-one incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this in natural tech English: 'I need to speak privately with you about my performance. Can we meet just the two of us?'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"I have a one-on-one with my manager next Tuesday."
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More about one-on-one
Real examples(3)
- manager scheduling
"I blocked off 30 minutes every Friday afternoon for one-on-ones with each team member."
- employee communication
"During our one-on-one, I mentioned that I want to learn more about system architecture."
- mentorship
"The senior engineer suggested a one-on-one to help me prepare for the technical interview."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. One-on-one is a noun describing a meeting format, not a verb. Do not use it as 'we need to one-on-one this issue' — instead say 'we need a one-on-one about this issue'.
- ✕Let us one-on-one this problem.✓Let's schedule a one-on-one to address this problem.
Again, one-on-one cannot be used as a verb. Pair it with 'have', 'schedule', or 'do'.
- ✕This is a one-on-one meeting with three people.✓This is a group meeting with three people. (Or: This is a one-on-one between two of us.)
One-on-one by definition involves exactly two people. If there are three or more, it is not a one-on-one.
Other forms(2)
- one-on-one noun
"I scheduled a one-on-one with my engineering lead."
- one-on-one adjective
"We prefer one-on-one meetings for sensitive feedback."
Often used with(5)
- schedule a one-on-one · Most common collocation; means to book or arrange a meeting
- have a one-on-one · Used to indicate that a meeting is happening or will happen
- one-on-one with [person] · Specifies who the other person in the meeting is
- one-on-one meeting · Formal version; sometimes used to clarify what type of meeting is meant
- skip one-on-one · Term used in some tech companies; skip = manager
Similar words(4)
- one-on-one meeting · More formal version; means the same thing
- private meeting · Less specific; does not always imply exactly two people
- check-in · More informal and casual; typically shorter and less structured
- sync · Very informal; short for synchronize; may involve more than two people
Opposites(4)
- group meeting
- team meeting
- standup
- all-hands meeting
Questions(5)
- What is the purpose of a one-on-one in tech companies?
- One-on-ones serve several purposes: providing and receiving feedback, discussing career growth and goals, addressing concerns or blockers, building rapport between manager and employee, and aligning on priorities. They are a key tool for communication and development in tech teams.
- How often do you have one-on-ones?
- Most tech companies schedule one-on-ones weekly or bi-weekly, typically lasting 30 minutes to one hour. The frequency and duration depend on the relationship and organizational culture. Some teams also have ad-hoc one-on-ones as needed.
- Is one-on-one formal or informal?
- One-on-one is neutral in formality. The term itself is neither very formal nor very casual, though one-on-one meetings can be either formal (like a performance review) or informal (like a casual check-in). The context determines the tone.
- Can one-on-one be used as a verb?
- No, one-on-one is a noun, not a verb. You do not 'one-on-one' something. Instead, use phrases like 'have a one-on-one', 'schedule a one-on-one', or 'hold a one-on-one'.
- What should you prepare for a one-on-one?
- For a one-on-one, it is helpful to prepare a short agenda or talking points. As a manager, think about feedback to share and goals to discuss. As an employee, prepare any questions, updates on your work, or topics you want to discuss.
