see a man about a dog
English
editEtymology
editUnknown. As a Prohibition-era reference to getting alcohol, influenced by the expression hair of the dog.
Pronunciation
editAudio (General Australian): (file)
Verb
editsee a man about a dog (third-person singular simple present sees a man about a dog, present participle seeing a man about a dog, simple past saw a man about a dog, past participle seen a man about a dog)
- (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.
- I'll be right back, but I've got to go to see a man about a dog.
Synonyms
edit- (all senses): see a man, see a man about a horse
- (use the toilet): see a man about the plumbing, see also use the toilet, Thesaurus:urinate, and Thesaurus:defecate