little man

IPA/lˈɪtəl mˈan/
IPA/lˈɪɾəl mˈæn/

little man — idiom

1. an informal way of referring to the average person in society, especially when c

1.idiomB1
Definition

an informal way of referring to the average person in society, especially when comparing them with people who are rich, powerful, or influential

Example

New zoning laws help big developers but push the little man out of the city.

contrast: the little man vs big developers

Kwame argued that the little man deserves better access to affordable healthcare.

the little man as subject of deserves

Common collocations
  • fight for the little man
  • protect the little man
  • help the little man
  • the little man vs (big business / corporations / the rich)
  • prices the little man can afford
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • the elite

    the powerful or wealthy minority that 'the little man' is contrasted with

  • the rich

    the opposite end of the economic spectrum

Grammar Patterns

the little man (as subject)

the little man (as object)

for the little man

protect/help/fight for the little man

Usage Note

Usually appears with the definite article 'the'. Common in political or social commentary contexts where the speaker contrasts ordinary citizens with powerful institutions or wealthy individuals.

Common Mistakes

He is a little man who lives next door.' (when meaning an ordinary person)
He is the little man who lives next door.
the idiomatic sense requires 'the', not 'a'.
The little man is a nice person.' (vague)
The little man deserves a fair chance at a good life.
the phrase is most natural in social-commentary contexts, not for describing a specific individual's character.

Synonym discussion

Sense: idiom/1

The phrase 'the little man' shares its core meaning with 'the common man' and 'the average person', but stands apart in tone. 'The common man' is neutral and statistical — it refers to a demographic category without emotional weight. 'The average person' is similarly factual and often appears in research contexts. 'The ordinary person' is a simple, transparent description. By contrast, 'the little man' carries a warm, sympathetic quality that suggests vulnerability and struggle against larger forces. 'The man in the street' is the most colloquial and is typically used when asking for spontaneous opinions ('the man in the street thinks…'). For example: 'The new tariffs hurt the little man far more than big corporations' — here, 'the common man' would work but sounds drier, while 'the average person' misses the David-versus-Goliath tone entirely.

the common manthe average personthe ordinary personthe man in the street ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The phrase 'little man' combines Old English 'lȳtel' (small in size or amount) and 'mann' (human being). Its idiomatic use to mean 'the ordinary person in contrast to the powerful' became established in the 19th century, appearing in political and social commentary as a way to express sympathy for common people.

First known use

1707

1707, in the meaning defined above