like a man possessed

and the like

And other similar items; et cetera.

be a man

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

be like

To say.

be one's own man

To behave independently without the influence of others.

be the bigger man

To walk away from a conflict to prevent it from escalating.

boldly go where no man has gone before

To break new ground.

broken man

A man who has suffered significant and enduring emotional pain as a result of a highly unpleasant or traumatic event.

built like a brick outhouse

Synonym of built like a brick shithouse.