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# see a man about a dog

phrase (idiom; verb phrase: go and see a man about a dog, going to see a man about a dog)

«see a man about a dog» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, humorous) an excuse given when you leave and do not want to say where you are going, often to the toilet or for a drink.
2. literally, meet a man to talk about a dog.

### In the lessons

Used jokingly by adults to avoid saying where they are going; humorous, old-fashioned, all regions. There is usually no man and no dog.

### Examples

- "Where are you going, Dad?" "Just off to see a man about a dog."
- Granddad stood up and said he had to see a man about a dog.
- We never found out where Uncle Pete went; he just had to see a man about a dog.
- "I need to see a man about a dog," she said, heading for the toilets.
- The farmer really did go to see a man about a dog: a new sheepdog.
- It's a funny way of saying "mind your own business".

### Note

Do not take it literally. It hides the real reason, often the toilet or the pub. A child may be confused when there is no dog.