noun
ADJECTIVE
▪ climactic , final
▪
The scene was set for the final ~.
▪ dramatic , ultimate
▪ long-awaited , looming
▪ military , nuclear
▪ Commons , political , Senate
▪ courtroom , High Court , Supreme Court
▪ championship , quarter-final , semi-final , title , etc. ( sports )
▪ relegation , winner-takes-all (both BrE , sports )
VERB + SHOWDOWN
▪ have
▪ avert , avoid
▪ face , head for
▪ force , seek
▪
He was now strong enough to force a ~ with them.
PREPOSITION
▪ ~ against
▪
the ~ against Holland in April
▪ ~ between
▪
the title ~ between Brazil and France
▪ ~ over
▪
The government is heading for a ~ over the new proposals.
▪ ~ with
▪
the semi-final ~ with Australia last month
PHRASES
▪ it comes to a ~ (= a showdown happens)
▪
Of course I'll support you if it comes to a ~.