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Baby Boomers (1946-1964)
The Man
Used when criticizing authority or societal norms in discussions.
Literal Meaning
A human adult male.
Actual Meaning
Reference to authority figures, government, or the establishment - often negative
Examples in Context

When the police showed up at the protest, everyone felt like we were up against The Man.

Sometimes it feels like The Man just wants to keep us down and not let us express ourselves freely.

I can't believe how much the government is controlling our lives. It's like The Man is always watching.

Helpful Tips
  • 1This phrase is often used to express frustration or resentment towards authority, especially in discussions about freedom or rights.
  • 2Understanding the tone of the conversation can help; if someone uses 'The Man' with sarcasm or anger, they probably feel strongly about the issue at hand.
  • 3This phrase is more common in discussions among older generations who grew up during the counterculture movements, so it may be used more often in those contexts.
Phrase Thesaurus
Similar words and synonyms for this phrase
the establishment
authority
the system
big brother
the powers that be
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