manly behavior—behavior that is typical of, or suitable for, a man rather than a woman or boy:
- Because of his military background, Mr. Jones was constantly berating his sensitive, gentle son for his lack of “manly behavior.”
mannish behavior—(of a woman) behavior that is more like a man’s than a woman’s (used showing disapproval):
- In the early 1900s, a woman who smoked in public would be ostracized for her mannish behavior.