What does "2 Man" Mean?

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Filling you in on the latest TikTok slang

Co-authored by Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: August 7, 2024 Fact Checked

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Slang Meanings of “2 Man”

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Using and Responding to “2 Man”

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Other Possible Meanings

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You’ve heard “2 Man” used on TikTok or via text, but you aren’t getting any clear answers about what it actually means. Does it have something to do with dating? Is it sexual? Does it even mean anything at all? Your lingo-learning quest ends here. We’ll fill you in on the various meanings of “2 Man,” how it’s used in a sentence, and how to act if you ever find yourself in a 2-man sort of situation.

Things You Should Know

“2 Man” is another term for a double date in which the woman wants to bring a friend, and so the man responds by bringing his own friend, as well.
“2 Man” might also simply mean a double hookup involving 2 couples.
“Two-manning” also sometimes refers to a sexual encounter involving 2 men and 1 woman.

Section 1 of 3:

Slang Meanings of “2 Man”

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A “2 Man” is another way to describe a double-date. More specifically, it’s a double date where the woman brings a friend. The man responds by bringing a friend of his own to try to pair with her friend, sometimes hoping to better his chances of sex after the date.^{[1]
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- “She’s bringing a friend to the bar, wanna make it a 2 man?”
- “Yeah, he 2-manned the date and brought his buddy. My friend and I weren’t feeling it, so we bounced.”
People sometimes use the term “two-manned” to describe a sexual act involving 2 men and 1 woman. It’s often used to propose a threesome in which a man invites his male friend to participate.^{[2]
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Section 2 of 3:

Using and Responding to “2 Man”

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Use “2 Man” to let your date know you’re bringing a friend. It’s only polite to give your date a heads-up if you’re bringing company. Let them know ahead of time, and ask them how they feel about it or if that’d make them uncomfortable. Don’t do anything to make your date uneasy, like show up with a group of friends.
- “Hey, you mind if we 2-manned this movie tonight?”
- “Since you’re bringing a friend, I was hoping to make this a 2-man to even things out.”
- “I’m bringing my friend, just for safety–no offense! You can bring someone to make this a 2-man if you want.”
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Use “2 Man” to suggest the possibility of a hookup. It’s sometimes understood that a 2 man isn’t just a double date—either the men or the women (or both) are looking for a hookup. Drop the term into your conversation to make your intentions clear.
- “Is this a 2-man situation? My friend is free.”
- “Are you gonna link with Amy? Does she have a friend for a 2-man?”
- “Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a 2-man. We’re just hanging out.”
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Let your friend know the date is a 2-man scenario. Bringing a friend along on a date is a great way to watch out for each other or avoid awkward or uncomfortable situations. Tell your friend that this is a double date, so they know what they’re getting into. Also, let a third party know where you are, just to be safe.
- “Of course, he wants a 2-man, he’s hoping it’s more than a date. We’ll play it by ear.”
- “Amy and I are going on this 2-man, expect me to be home by 11!”

Section 3 of 3:

Other Possible Meanings

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“Two-man” may also describe an activity or object involving 2 people. Outside of slang usage, “two-man” is often used to refer to situations that involve 2 people (regardless of gender), such as a collaboration, a sport, or a physical limitation.^{[3]
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- “Two performers were on stage at the two-man comedy show.”
- “That’s a two-man bicycle; it seats 2 people.”
- “The two-man instrument requires 2 musicians in order to play it properly.”