man of the hour
mediumneutral
Definition
Meaning
The man who is currently most important or celebrated because of a recent success or achievement.
A man who is receiving special attention, praise, or admiration for being the most prominent or responsible figure in a specific situation at a given time.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This phrase is almost always positive, highlighting a man's central or heroic role in a recent event. It implies temporary, situation-specific fame or importance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The core phrase is identical and equally understood in both varieties. The equivalent 'woman of the hour' is also standard in both.
Connotations
Connotations are identical, carrying a slightly journalistic or narrative flair. It is often used in contexts like sports, ceremonies, or news reports.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American media and sports commentary, but common in UK journalism as well.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + be + the man of the hour.With [event], [person] became the man of the hour.All eyes were on [person], the man of the hour.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “woman of the hour”
- “man of the moment”
- “person of the year”
- “talk of the town”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used when an employee's successful deal or innovation brings significant benefit to the company.
Academic
Rare. Could describe a researcher who just published a groundbreaking paper at a conference.
Everyday
Common for describing someone who just performed a heroic act, won a contest, or is the focus of a party (e.g., a birthday person).
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Look! The football player is the man of the hour.
- After saving the cat from the tree, Tom was the man of the hour in our street.
- Having delivered the project ahead of schedule, the young developer found himself the man of the hour at the board meeting.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a huge clock striking one. The man standing proudly where the number '1' is, is the 'man of the *hour*'—the number one person right now.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A STAGE (a specific period of time provides a stage for a person to be the main actor).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid a word-for-word translation like 'человек часа', which is unnatural. Use 'герой дня', 'человек момента', or 'виновник торжества' (if at a celebration).
Common Mistakes
- Using it for a woman without changing 'man' to 'woman'.
- Using it for a permanently important figure (e.g., the CEO). It implies temporary, situation-specific prominence.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following situations would the phrase 'man of the hour' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, for a woman, the correct equivalent phrase is 'woman of the hour'.
No, 'hour' is metaphorical. It means the person is the most important figure at that particular time, which could be a day, a week, or just for the duration of an event.
It is neutral; it can be used in both casual speech and in writing like news articles or speeches.
They are virtually synonymous. 'Man of the hour' is slightly more common and idiomatic, while 'man of the moment' can sound slightly more journalistic.