Used when having an open and sincere discussion, often about difficult subjects between two people. After the game, the coach had a man to man talk with the player about his performance.
Pro Tip 2/3
Private Setting
Indicates a conversation should be in private rather than in a group or public place. We should discuss your promotion man to man, not here in the office hallway.
Pro Tip 3/3
Gender Neutral
The phrase can be used regardless of the actual gender of the participants in the conversation. The phrase 'man to man' is a bit old-fashioned, but she requested a man to man conversation with her mentor.