# like a man possessed

idiom

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

## Meaning

In an energetic or uncontrolled way.

## Examples

- He cleaned the entire house like a man possessed.
- After realizing the deadline was in one hour, she worked like a man possessed to finish the report.
- Driven by a sudden, desperate need to complete his masterpiece, the artist painted like a man possessed until the sun rose.

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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.