see a man
English
Etymology
A clipped form of see a man about a dog.
Pronunciation
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb
see a man (third-person singular simple present sees a man, present participle seeing a man, simple past saw a man, past participle seen a man)
- (idiomatic, dated) Used in place of a real explanation when excusing oneself for a short period of time, particularly (euphemistic) to use the toilet or (historical) drink alcohol.
- 1867 September 12, Ball Players' Chronicle, page 3:
- Although they were all out, at the bases, and the rest of our nine having gone to see a man there was nobody to take the bat.
- I'll be right back. I've just got to go to the ladies' room to see a man.
Synonyms
- (all senses): see a man about a horse, see a man about a dog
- (use the toilet): see a man about the plumbing, see also use the toilet, Thesaurus:urinate, and Thesaurus:defecate
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