opposite number

plural opposite numbers

1. idiomaticA person who holds a position in an organization, sports team, or the like, that corresponds to that held by another person in another organization; a counterpart.

   Except for the mid-winter period, when the 11.30 a.m. from Paddington and its opposite number will be withdrawn - Torquay now has seven daily expresses to and from Paddington as compared with five down and six up previously.

   1961 October, “The winter timetables of British Railways: Western Region”, in Trains Illustrated, page 590

   2 more examples

   The first up train was the morning semi-fast ex Buncrana, which sped through with No. 8 at its head, adroitly exchanging staffs at about 15 m.p.h. […] The next train through Tooban was our opposite number, and we duly received the vital staff.

   1949 November and December, K. Longbottom, “By Goods Train to Gweedore”, in Railway Magazine, page 355

   With Jones and Botterman hoovering up penalties at the breakdown, Ward and Maud Muir putting the brakes on France's rolling maul and Cokyane waving off her opposite number after getting the better of a scrum, England were winning plenty of battles.

   2025 September 20, Mike Henson, “Kildunne stars as England see off France to make final”, in BBC Sport