man cave
8
5.1
- noun
- /mæn keɪv/
:
cueva del hombre
- This is my man cave, where I can unwind and play video games.
But if you have a sign that explains the man cave rules, that's that's really bad.
- But if you have a sign that explains the man cave rules, that's that's really bad.
- It would be tight to have like that as like a man cave.
- And I've had it with man caves.
Examples
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Don't tell Mrs. Betterman, but while she thinks I'm toiling in the hot sun, I'm actually in here, my man cave.
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There's a shed out back he uses as his man cave.
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Glad to see you out of your man cave.
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This is my man cave.
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Just watching a little TV in the man cave.
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Now I just have to complete a man cave for me to escape to.
Blog text (6) -
Well, I have a girlfriend now, and she looked at my house, and it was a man cave.
Blog text (30) -
I hope one day to have a man cave of sorts.
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You got the makings of a real man cave.
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I have a man cave of sorts, but we don't really call it that.
Blog text (5)
How Private
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'man' (adult male) and 'cave' (a secluded space) combine to suggest a private space for a man, so a B1 learner who knows both words could infer the general idea. However, 'cave' is used metaphorically here (not a literal subterranean chamber) and cultural knowledge about a decorated, hobby-oriented room is needed for the full meaning, making the expression only partially predictable.
Etymology
Man cave comes from the image of a cave as a quiet, private place where a man can go to be alone and enjoy his things. That's why man cave now means a room in the home made for a man's hobbies and 'relaxing'.