be a man
Show some backbone
To be a man is to show courage, stoicism, or emotional toughness—qualities traditionally associated with masculinity.
The phrase is used to encourage someone (usually male) to face difficulty without complaint or visible distress: Be a man and tell her the truth.
It can be sincere advice or dismissive pressure to suppress emotion.
The expression increasingly draws criticism for reinforcing rigid gender expectations.
- deal withManage or address
- suck it upEndure without complaint
- take it on the chinAccept misfortune without complaining
- endureSuffer through without yielding
- bite the bulletAccept inevitable hardship
grin and bear it · grow a pair · grit · courage · fortitude · walk it off · push through · buck up · accountability · strength · maturity · masculinity · resolve · stoicism · lump it · stand your ground · composure · chivalry