Dictionary

man up en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /mæn ˈʌp/
• (Australia) audio

Etymology

From man + up, with influence from own up, buck up.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To be brave or tough enough to deal with something in a manner that is considered strong or manly. (Compare man (“brace oneself, steel oneself”))
   • You need to man up and confront your boss about her behavior.
   • Or do you also have to wait for some veteran civil servant to tell you whether or not you put your pants on the right way round this morning? Honestly mate, just MAN UP. […] Speaking of manning up, I wonder if the organisers managed to find any ladies to attend this 20 May party? 2022 January 11, Marina Hyde, “Who’s really leading Britain – Boris Johnson or the crazy-face emoji?”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 12 Mar 2022:
   • I was wondering when he would man up and marry that girl he knocked up.
   • Hey son, man up, okay? There will be time for tears later.
2. (Of personnel) to assemble, each person manning (attending to) his station, prepared for the departure of an aircraft, ship, etc. (Compare man (“supply with staff; take up position to operate”).)
3. (of other personnel) To staff adequately; to staff up; to successfully fill all needed labor positions. (Compare man (“supply with staff”).)
4. To vigorously guard the opponent to whom one is assigned.
   • I had to "man up" on their rover, and every time I went for the ball he tried to hit me. 2007 Blye Frank & Kevin G. Davison, Masculinities and schooling: international practices and perspectives, Althouse Press, page 141
   • They must be athletic enough to man up on a solid number two receiver and yet be physical enough to step into the line scrimmage and tackle a running back. 2005, Allan Trimble, Coaching football successfully,, Human Kinetics, page 166:
   • He will man up on his opponent whenever his opponent has the ball. 2005, Andrew McLeod, Trevor D. Jaques, Australian football: steps to success,, page 138:

Forms

Synonyms

person up · woman up · boss up

Translations (2)

pl zmężnieć (to be brave or tough enough) · pl mężnieć (to be brave or tough enough)