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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.

The response inspired Kayne to write a one-man show, “Sorry For Your Loss,” about his family and his experience but also about grief in society.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

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

The star of HBO TV drama Succession was due to launch his 18-date one-man show - It's All About Me! - on 1 October at the Royal & Derngate Theatre in Northampton.

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2025

He had a one-man show at the Corcoran Gallery, his paintings were included in an exhibit called “Operation Palette,” which toured the country for five years, and he won two Guggenheim fellowships.

From Slate • Jun. 6, 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