man about town

American  

noun

1. a socially active, sophisticated man who frequents fashionable nightclubs, theaters, restaurants, etc.; playboy; boulevardier.

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man about town British  

noun

1. a fashionable sophisticate, esp one in a big city

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man about town Idioms  

1. A man who frequently attends fashionable social functions, as in Fred is quite the man about town these days. This expression, first recorded in 1734, uses town in the sense of “a sophisticated place” as opposed to rural settings.

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Etymology

Origin of man about town

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Gwendolen also comes recommended by one of Nellie’s children, oldest son Niven, a James Bond-ish man about town.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 5, 2022

Coming as a surprise to absolutely no one, model Emily Ratajkowski is dating again, and the object of her latest affection appears to be none other than perennial man about town Pete Davidson.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2022

Nathaniel Parker Willis, the famous writer, editor of the weekly newspaper the Home Journal, and man about town, had taken Catherine into his home when she first separated from Forrest.

From Slate • May 27, 2022

He reported to camp in peak condition, ready to embrace a new role for his 30s: wizened clubhouse leader and debonair man about town.

From New York Times • Jan. 12, 2022

Neither is he the fast man about town that can be caught in my toils.

From The Everlasting Arms by Hocking, Joseph