make a man of/out of somebody

make a man (out) of (one)

To impel a young man to mature into an adult through some kind of experience. I was just a kid when I came out of college, but my first few months at a real job made a man out of me. Here are Academy Prep, we take your son and make a man of him.

See also: make, man, of

make a man of someone

Fig. to make a young male into an adult male. The experience will make a man of Ted. Send Wally into the army. That'll make a man of him.

See also: make, man, of

make a ˈman of/out of somebody

make a young man develop and become more adult: My father was very old-fashioned. He was always trying to ‘make a man of me’ by taking me fishing or camping with him.

See also: make, man, of, out, somebody