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)

1. (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