man up

British

verb

informal (intr, adverb) to adopt a stereotypically masculine approach or course of action

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Malone called the Coast Guard, which sent a helicopter to hoist the man up, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

That MP said: "He's got vultures left, right, up, down, in front and behind. He needs to man up and show he's happy to see off anyone."

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

Dalton is likely the next man up after Miller.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 14, 2025

Kevin Davies, Mark Viduka, Andy Carroll and Christian Benteke - Allardyce liked a big man up top, and so did his system.

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2025

He swung into the saddle, grabbed Tyrion by the collar, and hoisted the little man up in front of him.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023