# be a man

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/be-a-man
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To put up with something or take responsibility for it; to deal with something, such as pain or misfortune, without complaining.

## Examples

- Stop complaining and be a man about the situation.
- He knew the surgery would be painful, but he decided to be a man and face it without any fuss.
- Despite the crushing weight of his professional failure, he chose to be a man, accepting full responsibility for the error rather than shifting the blame onto his subordinates.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.