the man in the street vs the man on the street

Both 'the man in the street' and 'the man on the street' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'The man in the street' is a common idiom used to refer to an ordinary person or the average citizen. On the other hand, 'the man on the street' is used to describe someone who is physically present on the street, often in interviews or surveys.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 686 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to an ordinary person or the average citizen.

"the man in the street"

This phrase is an idiom used to describe an ordinary person or the average citizen, often in a political or social context.

Examples:

Politicians should listen to the concerns of the man in the street.
The man in the street is often overlooked in policy decisions.

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It is poorly targeted at the man in the street.
There is no way of justifying to the man in the street the various systems of reimbursement we have and the fact that it is we who have granted ourselves them.
Therefore, above all, we must see what it is that makes the man in the street opposed to the internal market and how we can link its future with the vision of Europe.
You are getting better at this job all the time and are helping not only the Parliament, but also the man in the street, to realise what it costs to run the European Union.
This report proves once again that Eurofederalism is divorced from the reality of the man in the street.
This report has unexpectedly become very important for the man in the street.
The information reaching the man in the street is anecdotal, disorganised and often inappropriate.
This does not convince the man in the street.
I mention these two examples because the old solutions, whatever their inherent dangers, are sometimes favoured by the man in the street.
But the man in the street wants to see some concrete results.
We have to speak the language of the man in the street before we talk about macroeconomic policies, dual societies and structural unemployment.
Basically, if anyone needs to lose in this game, it should not always be the man in the street.
Within the frameworks of international law and without there being any intention to hurt the man in the street, sanctions need to be imposed on Israel.
But what's the man in the street saying?
For the man in the street, it is not easy to distinguish between improprieties in Parliament and in the Commission.
Joining the European family will not be a success if the man in the street ends up associating Europe with suffering and pain.
Mr President, for some years now the European Union has had a number of public health programmes in an attempt to bring Europe closer to the man in the street.
Every time there is a debate on biotechnology or genetic manipulation the man in the street mistakenly thinks of that horrible picture of a mouse with a human ear grafted on to it.
These are issues that directly affect the man in the street as a worker, consumer and someone who benefits from a better environment.
Next week, the doctor passes the man in the street and says, Good day.

Alternatives:

the average person
the common man
the ordinary citizen
the everyday person
the typical individual

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe someone who is physically present on the street, often in interviews or surveys.

"the man on the street"

This phrase is used to describe someone who is physically present on the street, often in the context of interviews, surveys, or observations.

Examples:

Let's ask the man on the street what he thinks about the new policy.
The reporter interviewed the man on the street to get a sense of public opinion.

Show examples from the web [+]

It's always personal, when the man on the street puts pen to paper.
Our plan whilst in the States was to speak to both some of the highest authorities on Shakespeare in America, as well as the man on the street.
What I'd like to know is: How does this gravity wave breakthrough help the man on the street?
No. I think Hector's got the story. It's what's of interest to the man on the street.
The man on the street won't do nothing.
The man on the street wonders why he should support a new treaty if it is uncertain that it will be observed.
Our uniform will be that of the man on the street, the peasant in the field.
So, courage, the man on the street with his suitcase.
Why not just the man on the street?
It's what's of interest to the man on the street.
I need to go talk to the man on the street, the people who are like me, the regular Joes.
It is the Commission's local offices, in cooperation with Parliament's local offices, which must meet the man on the street, the man who always thinks that Brussels is so extremely far away.
Does the man on the street know when it is possible to appeal to the Commission?
Let's go steal the man on the street.
However, we also now need 'man on the moon' or 'woman on the moon' projects which are understood by the man on the street, so that EU taxpayers understand what we are doing here with their money.
Iwantthemtolook sosmug and glamorous that the man on the street will consider them a personal insult.
But this very low increase hides a reality that was painfully obvious to the man on the street during 2002 and 2003.
In ancient times there was a very long distance between the diplomatic and military establishments and the man on the street.

Alternatives:

the person on the street
the individual on the street
the pedestrian
the passerby
the person in the street

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the man in the street vs the man on the street