chief man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief man" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you are referring to the primary or leading individual in a specific group or organization, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "In the tribal council, the chief man was responsible for making the final decisions."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"I am chief man".

The New Yorker

"What does the chief man do?" I asked.

The New Yorker

Judas is allowed to justify his crime: "I thought He had chosen me a captain of His chariots, and a chief man of His warriors".

The New Yorker

Aeschines tells us, also, that Lysicles, a sheep-dealer, a man of low birth and character, by keeping Aspasia company after Pericles's death, came to be a chief man in Athens.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But it was also this class that was hit by the market reforms of the 1990s".They supported us in 1991 and most of them got nothing out of our reforms," admits Anatoly Chubais, who, as Boris Yeltsin's chief man in charge of privatisation, devised and implemented them.

The Economist

On Thursday, a pronounced lack of dramatic conviction informed most of the performance, with only Ms. Cojocaru as Medora and Yonah Acosta as Birbanto (Conrad's chief man, who turns out to be a bad lot) bringing persuasive theatrical verve to their roles.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As well as reducing the sources of carbon dioxide, the chief man-made greenhouse gas implicated in climate change, the expansion of nuclear power will leave more land to support biodiversity and so curb the extinction of species, they say.

Independent

What know'st thou of the chief, men call the bless'd?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I've definitely noticed more men on both sides of the Atlantic wearing shorts in cities," said Frank Muytjens, the chief men's-wear designer for J. Crew.

The New York Times

The chief men among the suitors are lying in wait for you in the Strait between Ithaca and Samos, and they mean to kill you before you can reach home.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The beauty of Free City was that it couldn't be defined, but had a clear and distinct aesthetic supplied by Ms. Garduno, who at the time was the chief men's buyer for Ron Herman/Fred Segal in Los Angeles -- her main gig.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chief man", ensure the context clearly indicates a position of leadership or authority, especially in historical or cultural settings.

Common error

Avoid using "chief man" in contemporary contexts where more common terms like "leader" or "manager" would be more appropriate. This prevents your writing from sounding outdated or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief man" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to denote a person holding a position of leadership or authority. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing historical figures or roles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

41%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chief man" is a noun phrase that signifies a leading or principal individual, often in a position of authority. While grammatically correct, it's not frequently used in modern English and may sound somewhat archaic or unfamiliar. Ludwig's analysis shows that it appears mostly in news articles and academic texts, but there are many alternatives like "leader" or "head man" that you can use instead. Therefore, it's generally recommended to use more common alternatives for clarity and contemporary style. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this phrase is acceptable, but may not be the best choice for all contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leader

This is a more general and widely used term for someone in charge.

chief

This alternative highlights someone is in charge.

head man

This alternative emphasizes the hierarchical structure and position of authority.

principal figure

This alternative highlights the importance and influence of the person.

main figure

This alternative suggests that the person is the most important or central individual.

leading man

This phrase is often used in the context of entertainment, referring to the main male actor.

key figure

This emphasizes the person's importance in a particular situation or organization.

top man

This suggests the highest-ranking person in an organization.

ruling man

This phrase has a slightly outdated tone. This emphasizes the person's control or governance.

foremost man

This alternative underscores the person's prominence or leading position.

FAQs

What does "chief man" mean?

The phrase "chief man" refers to a leading or principal person, often indicating someone in a position of authority or importance within a group or organization. You can also use alternatives like "leader" or "head man".

What's a modern alternative to "chief man"?

In contemporary English, alternatives like "leader", "key figure", or "principal figure" are more common and generally preferred over "chief man", which can sound archaic.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "chief man"?

The phrase "chief man" might be appropriate in historical contexts, or in specific cultural settings where this terminology is traditionally used. Always consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

How can I use "chief man" in a sentence?

Example: "In the tribal council, the "chief man" was responsible for making the final decisions." However, using a more common word like "leader" would often be clearer.