English

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Etymology

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Clipping of see a man about a dog.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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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

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  NODES
see 14