men

be all things to all men

to try to please everyone, even when it is impossible to do this. You can't possibly keep everyone happy and you've just got to realize that you can't be all things to all men.

See also: all, thing

Dead men tell no tales.

something that you say which means people who are dead cannot tell secrets. I suspect they killed him because he knew too much. Dead men tell no tales.

See also: dead, tales, tell

the men in grey suits

men in business or politics who have a lot of power and influence although the public does not see them or know about them. As usual, it is the men in grey suits who will decide the future of the industry.

See also: grey, suit

the men in white coats (humorous)

doctors who look after people who are mentally ill. The men in white coats will be coming to take me away if I stay in this job much longer.

See also: coat, white

separate/sort out the men from the boys

if a difficult situation or activity separates the men from the boys, it shows which people in a group are brave and strong and which are not. You have to survive outdoors for three days and three nights. That should separate the men from the boys.

See also: boy, from, separate, sort

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separate the men from the boys

to show which people in a group can do something difficult and which people cannot. The five-day camping trip next month should separate the men from the boys!

See also: boy, from, separate