Etymology

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Today it means: The final battle between two opponents, in which there can be only one victor. Full definition →

First used 1904
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The story

From show + down.

First known use, by meaning

  • 1904 The final battle between two opponents, in which there can be only one victor.
  • 1873 The final round in a poker match, where all of the remaining players' cards have to be put down on the table and shown.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.