to the manner born

Cultural  

1. A person who is “to the manner born” is one who has acquired genteel tastes and habits by virtue of having been born into a privileged class: “Rachel is charming at dinner parties — as if she were to the manner born.” This expression is sometimes mistakenly rendered as “to the manor born.” The phrase is from Hamlet, by William Shakespeare.

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to the manner born Idioms  

1. Accustomed from birth to a particular behavior or lifestyle, as in At a high-society function she behaves as though to the manner born, but we know she came from very humble circumstances. This term was invented by Shakespeare in Hamlet. Referring to the King's carousing in Danish style, Hamlet says (1:4): “Though I am native here And to the manner born, it is a custom More honor'd in the breach than the observance.” The manner in this expression was later sometimes changed to manor, “the main house of an estate,” and the idiom's sense became equated with “high-born” (and therefore accustomed to luxury), a way in which it is often used today.

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Example Sentences

"Beisembayev reeled off the concerto as if he was to the manner born," wrote The Guardian's Martin Kettle, praising his "sparkling technique, rhythmic control and dynamic range".

From BBC • Aug. 25, 2023

On Gossip Girl those to the manner born just have that je ne se quoi, a comfort in certain spaces and settings, a certainty they deserve watching and noticing that the series’ shares.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2021

Perhaps I should have gone to Columbia, for instance, where one could achieve excellence less encumbered by custom and the insecurities it visits upon those not to the manner born.

From Salon • Jul. 11, 2018

Indeed, throughout her first week in the job Mrs May has looked to the manner born.

From Washington Times • Jul. 20, 2016

Merit has replaced the old system of inherited privilege, in which parents to the manner born handed down the manor to their children.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times