see a man about a horse
Excuse to leave
See a man about a horse is a joking excuse for leaving without explaining where you're going, especially when heading to the bathroom or to get a drink.
The phrase dates to the 19th century and was particularly common during Prohibition as a euphemism for obtaining alcohol.
Today it serves as a deliberately evasive non-answer when someone asks where you're headed.
I need to step out and see a man about a horse.
- urinateExpel bodily fluid
- peeUrinate, informally
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
- pretextFabricated motive concealing truth
- cover storyFalse explanation for actions
polite fiction · nature calls · answer the call · freshen up · use the toilet · ruse · idiom · beat around the bush · evasion · phraseology · saying · slip away · slip out · euphemism · make oneself scarce · beat a hasty retreat · defecate · pardon me
see a man about a horsespeak plainly
tell it like it is · call a spade a spade · straight talk · lay it on the line · not mince words
see a man about a horsego to the bathroom
Use the toilet
use the restroom · go to the toilet · answer nature's call · take a leak · hit the head
seeing, seers, manhood, unmanned, manned, horse, horses, horsed, horsing