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.

See Examples For:

man up

“Just man up and face whoever your going to face and convince people of your argument,” Guerra said.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 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

With Gabriel out for the season, Riccardo Calafiori injured, and Jurrien Timber and Ben White injury doubts, Kiwior could be the next man up.

From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2025

Rowan reached out his hand to help the man up, but Emerson just glared at him and refused his help.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

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