1
general::
Phrase(s): one-man show
1. Lit. a performance put on by one person. • It was a one-man show, but it was very entertaining. • For a one-man show, it was very long. 2. Fig. an exhibition of the artistic works of one person. • She is having a one-man show at the Northside Gallery. • I’m having a one-man show next weekend. Come and see what I have done.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
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Also, one-man band. A person who does or manages just about everything, as in This department is a one-man show? the chairman runs it all, or John conducts the interviews, writes the articles, solicits ads, deals with the printer? he's a one-man band. This idiom alludes to the actor or artist responsible for the entire performance or exhibit, or the musician who plays every instrument in the group. [First half of 1900s]
American Heritage Idioms