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see a man about a dog

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Etymology

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Unknown. As a Prohibition-era reference to getting alcohol, influenced by the expression hair of the dog.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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see a man about a dog (third-person singular simple present sees a man about a dog, present participle seeing a man about a dog, simple past saw a man about a dog, past participle seen a man about a dog)

  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.
    I'll be right back, but I've got to go to see a man about a dog.

Synonyms

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