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Stephenlearner Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

He is ready to play the man

Hi,

My dictionary told me that 'play the man' meant "to be a true man, or show the true manhood".

Can "He is ready to play the man" mean derogatively, or ironically?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

Any phrase can be used ironically or derogatorily, but you have to convey the tone. Easier to do in conversation than in writing. One way to do so is to frame the sentence so it is clear that you are not praising someone.

— Doctor D

  • Any phrase can be used ironically or derogatorily, but you have to convey the tone.
  • Easier to do in conversation than in writing.
  • One way to do so is to frame the sentence so it is clear that you are not praising someone.
  • For example: He's such a fool.
  • He keeps trying to "play the man," but he lacks the nerve to make it work.
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4 Answers
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Any phrase can be used ironically or derogatorily, but you have to convey the tone. Easier to do in conversation than in writing. One way to do so is to frame the sentence so it is clear that you are not praising someone. For example:

He's such a fool. He keeps trying to "play the man," but he lacks the nerve to make it work.

Does this help?
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Hi,

My dictionary told me that 'play the man' meant "to be a true man, or show the true manhood".

To me, this phrase seems very old-fashioned, almost archaic.

We do, in modern English, still say 'He plays the fool', as a set phrase.

Clive
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