cave-man
Definition
- Noun:
- A prehistoric human: "cave-man" refers to a member of early human species, such as Neanderthals, who lived in caves during the Stone Age.
- A rough or uncouth person: In informal usage, "cave-man" describes a man considered primitive, crude, or socially inept, often implying a lack of refinement or manners.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Archaeologists discovered tools left behind by a cave-man in the ancient shelter. (A prehistoric human who lived in a cave.)
- He acted like a cave-man during the meeting, shouting and ignoring everyone else's opinions. (A rough or uncouth person.)
Advanced Usage
"cave-man mentality": a mindset characterized by aggression, dominance, or primitive behavior.
- His cave-man mentality prevented him from listening to reason. (A primitive, aggressive way of thinking.)
"cave-man diet": a modern diet based on foods presumed to have been eaten by prehistoric humans, such as meat, fish, and plants.
- She follows a cave-man diet, eating only unprocessed foods. (A diet mimicking ancient eating habits.)
Variants and Related Words
Cave-woman (n): a female counterpart of a cave-man; also used informally for a rough or primitive woman.
- The cave-woman in the painting was gathering berries. (A prehistoric woman.)
Cave-dweller (n): an animal or human that lives in a cave.
- Bats are common cave-dwellers. (Animals inhabiting caves.)
Synonyms
- Neanderthal: a species of early human; also used informally for a crude person.
- Troglodyte: a person who lives in a cave; also a derogatory term for a primitive or unsocial person.
Related Idioms
Cave-man approach: a method of dealing with problems using brute force or simplicity rather than subtlety.
- He used a cave-man approach to fix the computer, hitting it until it worked. (A crude, forceful method.)
Cave-man behavior: actions that are aggressive, uncivilized, or lacking social grace.
- His cave-man behavior at the party embarrassed his friends. (Rude or primitive conduct.)