tic tac toe

/ˌtɪk tæk ˈtoʊ/
noun
  1. A simple game for two players, played on a grid of nine squares, where each player takes turns marking X or O, trying to get three in a row.
    • Tic-tac-toe is often the first game kids learn because the rules are so simple.
    • The children played tic-tac-toe on a napkin while waiting for their food.
    • She won the tic-tac-toe game by placing her third X in the top row.
  2. A situation or pattern that resembles the game, especially one involving back-and-forth moves or a simple competition.
    • The negotiation turned into a tic-tac-toe of offers and counteroffers.
    • Their argument was like a tic-tac-toe match, with each person taking turns making a point.
    • The election became a tic-tac-toe battle between the two main candidates.
What does "tic tac toe" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean