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To see a man about a dog, horse or duck is an idiom, especially British English, of apology for one's imminent departure or absence, generally to euphemistically conceal one's true purpose, such as going to use the toilet or going to buy an alcoholic drink.
What's the meaning of the phrase 'See a man about a dog'? When someone says “I’m just going to see a man about a dog” he (usually he) is disguising his actual intentions. What’s is really being said is “I’m going out but I’m not saying why”.
Nov 9, 2017 · The phrase to see a man about a dog is used euphemistically as a vague excuse for leaving to keep an undisclosed appointment, or, now frequently, to go to the toilet. It is first recorded in On Falling In and Out of Love, published in The Anti-Teapot Review.
Nov 27, 2012 · to see a man (about a dog, horse, etc.) and variants: used euphemistically as a vague excuse for leaving, (a) to keep an undisclosed appointment; (b) to go to buy alcoholic drink; (c) to go to the toilet.
- Wikipedia actually has an article dedicated to this phrase. It says: The earliest confirmed publication is the 1866 Dion Boucicault play Flyin...
- In my experience, this phrase isn't particularly associated with using the toilet (and certainly isn't rhyming slang) in the UK at least. It simply...
- I'm curious what is the exact meaning/usage of this phrase/idiom? The OED has colloq [ uial ]. to see a man ( about a dog , horse , etc. ) and...
- In my experience it is a double-layered rhyming slang phrase. "I have to see a man about a dog " is a thinly veiled semi-polite phrase which is...
- Man about a dog is from Newcastle UK. An old jordy told me that. That's my credentials and knowing this man I stand by em. It means I'm off to the...
In this video, you’ll learn about the British English Idiom See a Man about a Dog, its origin, first use and meaning. ...more.
- 2 min
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- Al's Action English
The phrase “see a man about a dog” is an idiom that has been in use for many years. It is often used to indicate that someone needs to leave or attend to some urgent matter, but without giving any specific details.
You might say you have to see a man about a dog when you do not want to say what you are really doing, especially when going to the toilet: I've just got to see a man about a dog. I'll be back in a minute. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Animal physiology: urine & urinating.
