Eyeball-to-eyeball is often used to describe a confrontational or intense situation where two individuals or groups are facing each other directly. Some synonyms that can be used in place of this phrase include face-to-face, nose-to-nose, toe-to-toe, head-to-head, or cheek-to-cheek. These phrases all imply a similar level of intensity and directness. Other potential synonyms could include eye-to-eye, front-and-center, or in close proximity. Depending on the context in which the phrase is being used, different synonyms may be more appropriate or more impactful. Regardless of the specific words being used, it is clear that situations labeled as eyeball-to-eyeball are often charged and require careful handling.