One-man show
Meaning
A performance, business, or task managed and executed by a single individual.
Origin
The concept of a single performer captivating an audience is as old as storytelling itself, from ancient Greek rhapsodes reciting epic poems to medieval jesters entertaining courts. However, the precise term "one-man show" took hold in the vibrant world of 20th-century entertainment. It vividly describes a theatrical production featuring a lone actor who might portray multiple characters, sing, dance, and deliver monologues—all by themselves. This powerful image of singular effort and complete command quickly transcended the stage, becoming a popular metaphor for any undertaking where one person shoulders all the responsibilities, embodying every role and driving the entire project to its conclusion.
Examples
- After his bandmates quit, the singer decided to continue the tour as a one-man show, playing all the instruments himself.
- The startup began as a one-man show, with the founder handling everything from product development to customer service.