with a black suit?

[yamyam]

Hello, teachers.

I've found the following:

1. Last night, a man with a black suit visited my house.

According to the answer key, the phrase means "wearing a black suit." To tell the truth, I've seen such expressions as "a man in black" or "a man with a black suit on," but I've never seen any of such expressions as the one in #1.
Is the phrase in #1 common and natural to you native speakers? Or is it usually understood as the meaning of "carrying a black suit"?

Thank you very much in advance for your help on this.

yam.

 

[konungursvia]

It's a very good question. English often uses 'with' in this vague way. It means 'wearing' because 'with' in this vague manner usually just takes on the meaning context and common sense indicate.

 

[BobK]

And because of that vagueness some people avoid it. I am 'a man with a black suit'; I last wore it a week ago,

b