the man
English
Alternative forms
- da man
Etymology
Originally from US English.
Pronunciation
Audio (AU) (file)
Noun
the man (singular only)
- The oppressive powers that be, including the government and corporations; the system, as coordinated outside of one’s control.
- The man gets you down.
- I'm sorry I couldn’t meet you earlier, but I spent all night working for the man.
- 1968, Nathan C. Heard, Howard Street, New York: The New American Library, pages 22–23:
- “Bitch, shut up that noise!” Cowboy hissed hotly from somewhere in the darkness ahead of her. “You wanna bring the man down on me or somethin’? […] ”
- 1969, John Fogerty (lyrics and music), “Proud Mary”, in Bayou Country, performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival:
- Left a good job in the city / Workin' for the man every night and day
- An oppressive or domineering person of authority, usually male.
- The best man for a job; someone with exceptional skills.
- You’re the man!
- 1989, Spike Lee, Do the Right Thing:
- Buggin' Out: You the man.
Mookie: No, you the man.
Buggin' Out: No, I'm just a struggling Black man trying to keep my dick hard in a cruel and harsh world.
- 2004 January 31, George Kimball, “Super Bowl XXXVIII: Rags-to-riches story for Carolina Panthers quarter-back Delhomme”, in The Guardian:
- [Jake Delhomme] has been “The Man” ever since, leading the Panthers to a remarkable eight come-from-behind wins in what Fox describes as Carolina's “outhouse-to-penthouse” season.
Derived terms
- stick it to the man
Translations
the oppressive powers that be
the best person for the job
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Further reading
- Jonathon Green (2023), “man n.”, in Green's Dictionary of Slang
Anagrams
- Hemant, Manthe, anthem, hetman, mentha, nameth