# man of parts

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/man-of-parts
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A man who is talented in multiple areas of life.

## Examples

- He is a man of parts who paints, cooks, and plays music.
- The new manager is a man of parts, skilled in both engineering and creative marketing strategies.
- As a true man of parts, he navigated the complex worlds of diplomacy, philosophy, and classical literature with equal grace and intellectual depth.

## Origin

The phrase saw much use in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe, especially in England.

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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.