see a man

== English == === Etymology === Clipping of see a man about a dog. === Pronunciation === === 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. ==== 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