see a man en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
Clipping of see a man about a dog.
Meanings
-
(dated, idiomatic) 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.
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.
1867 September 12, Ball Players' Chronicle, page 3:I'll be right back. I've just got to go to the ladies' room to see a man.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| sees a man | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| seeing a man | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| seen a man | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| saw a man | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Synonyms
use the toilet · and Thesaurus:defecate · a man about the plumbing (use the toilet) · a man about a horse (all senses) · a man about a dog (all senses) · urinate