one-man show

Idioms

Also, one-man band. A person who does or manages just about everything, as in This department is a one-man show—the chairman runs it all, or John conducts the interviews, writes the articles, solicits ads, deals with the printer—he's a one-man band. This idiom alludes to the actor or artist responsible for the entire performance or exhibit, or the musician who plays every instrument in the group. [First half of 1900s]

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.

And he reveals that, when Joey’s acting career failed to take off, he planned a one-man show for himself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

I started writing a one-man show called 10 Things I Hate About Me, all about my life.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

With Khalil Mack on injured reserve, the Chargers were boasting a one-man show on the edge — Tuli Tuipulotu leading the team in pressures with 27.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2025

It’s a one-man show that I can say without hyperbole is the best work he ever did.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025

Someday Ml have a poetry reading and a one-man show at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe on the Lower East Side.

From "Bronx Masquerade" by Nikki Grimes

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