the man

• da man

Originally from US English.

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the man (singular only)

1. The oppressive powers that be, including the government and corporations; the system, as coordinated outside of one’s control.

   The man gets you down.

   I'm sorry I couldn’t meet you earlier, but I spent all night working for the man.

   • 1968, Nathan C. Heard, Howard Street, New York: The New American Library, pages 22–23:

     “Bitch, shut up that noise!” Cowboy hissed hotly from somewhere in the darkness ahead of her. “You wanna bring the man down on me or somethin’? […] ”

   • 1969, John Fogerty (lyrics and music), “Proud Mary”, in Bayou Country, performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival:

     Left a good job in the city / Workin' for the man every night and day

2. An oppressive or domineering person of authority, usually male.
3. The best man for a job; someone with exceptional skills.

   You’re the man!

   • 1989, Spike Lee, Do the Right Thing:

     Buggin' Out: You the man.
     Mookie: No, you the man.
     Buggin' Out: No, I'm just a struggling Black man trying to keep my dick hard in a cruel and harsh world.

   • 2004 January 31, George Kimball, “Super Bowl XXXVIII: Rags-to-riches story for Carolina Panthers quarter-back Delhomme”, in The Guardian‎:

     [Jake Delhomme] has been “The Man” ever since, leading the Panthers to a remarkable eight come-from-behind wins in what Fox describes as Carolina's “outhouse-to-penthouse” season.

• stick it to the man

• Jonathon Green (2023), “man n.”, in Green's Dictionary of Slang

• Hemant, Manthe, anthem, hetman, mentha, nameth