straight man
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of straight man
First recorded in 1925–30
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.
John is next, and he just can’t be a straight man, even when he tries: “Thanks to all of you who bought me book . . . And there’s another one out pretty soon, it says here.”
From Salon
Some scenes introduce that character as the straight man.
From Salon
The Cuban American musician, bandleader, actor and producer remains most famous for his role as Lucille Ball’s husband and straight man, Ricky Ricardo, in their iconic 1950s television series, “I Love Lucy.”
From Los Angeles Times
“Yeah, but that doesn’t make sense in this case,” Meyers said, playing the straight man.
From Los Angeles Times
I put the look on and I was like, "Yes, it's very nice for a straight man, this is the look we should go for."
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
