see a man about a horse

== English == === Etymology === A variant of see a man about a dog, from the implied context of seeing someone about a bet on a horse race. === Pronunciation === === Verb === see a man about a horse (third-person singular simple present sees a man about a horse, present participle seeing a man about a horse, simple past saw a man about a horse, past participle seen a man about a horse) (idiomatic, euphemistic) Used in place of a real explanation when excusing oneself for a short period of time, particularly to use a toilet. ==== Synonyms ==== (all senses): see a man, 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 ==== Translations ==== === References === (Etymology)[1]. Ayto, John. Oxford Slang. 1998. Farmer, J.S. and W.E. Henley. Slang and its Analogues. 1986. Chapman, Robert L. Dictionary of American Slang. 1995. Matthews, Mitford M. A Dictionary of Americanisms. 1951. Spears, Richard A. Slang and Euphemism. 1981. Spears, Richard A. The Slang and Jargon of Drugs and Drink. 1986.