it's a man's world
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Society is organized in a manner that gives preferential status to males; most positions of authority are occupied by men.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The real issue, says Fox, "is whether male and female roles are totally flexible and reversible." As far as Fox is concerned, the answer is no. Millett admits that "[…] All I did was substantiate a cliche which we all know — that it's a man's world."
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “it's a man's world” mean?
Society is organized in a manner that gives preferential status to males; most positions of authority are occupied by men.
Is “it's a man's world” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.