How do you use "Powder my nose" in a sentence?

I'm just going to powder my nose. She's powdering her nose. Excuse me, I need to powder my nose.

Powder my nose

Q: What does "Powder my nose" mean?

Women's euphemism for using the toilet. 'Powder my nose' is a feminine euphemism for using the toilet—ostensibly going to apply makeup powder. A delicate way for women to excuse themselves.

Slang Term BritishAmerican ★★★☆☆ Moderate Formal

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Meaning: Women's euphemism for using the toilet.

女性上厕所的委婉说法。

Eufemismo femenino para ir al váter.

女性がトイレに行くことの婉曲表現。

여성이 화장실에 간다는 것의 완곡 표현.

'Powder my nose' is a feminine euphemism for using the toilet—ostensibly going to apply makeup powder. A delicate way for women to excuse themselves.

'Powder my nose（补一下妆）'是女性上厕所的委婉说法——表面上是去补粉底。是女性礼貌离席的优雅说法。

'Powder my nose' (empolvarme la nariz) es un eufemismo femenino para ir al váter, supuestamente para aplicarse maquillaje. Una forma delicada para que las mujeres se excusen.

「Powder my nose（鼻におしろいをはたく）」は女性がトイレに行くことの上品な婉曲表現。表向きはおしろいを塗りに行くということ。女性が上品に席を外す言い方。

'Powder my nose'는 화장실에 간다는 여성적인 완곡 표현으로, 겉으로는 화장 파우더를 바르러 간다는 의미입니다. 여성이 자리를 비울 때 쓰는 우아한 표현입니다.

Examples

I'm just going to powder my nose.
我去补一下妆
Voy a empolvarme la nariz
ちょっとお鼻にお粉をはたきに行ってきます
잠깐 코에 파우더 좀 바르고 올게요.
She's powdering her nose.
她在补妆
Se está empolvando la nariz
彼女はお化粧直し中です
그녀는 화장을 고치고 있어요.
Excuse me, I need to powder my nose.
不好意思，我需要去补一下妆
Disculpe, necesito empolvarme la nariz
失礼、お化粧を直してきます
실례합니다, 화장 좀 고치고 올게요.

Pronunciation

/ˈpaʊdə maɪ nəʊz/

Usage Guide

Context: women only, polite

Tone: polite, feminine

✓ Do Say

Women's polite euphemism
女性的礼貌委婉语
eufemismo educado femenino
女性の丁寧な婉曲表現
여성의 정중한 완곡 표현

✗ Don't Say

Only for women
仅用于女性
Solo para mujeres
女性のみの表現
여성만 사용하는 표현

Common Mistakes

Women only—sounds dated

Origin & History

Victorian/Edwardian era euphemism. Women excused themselves to the 'powder room' to apply makeup, but really for toilet use. Very genteel.

Etymology: From makeup powder application

First recorded: 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: Older generations

Social background: Upper/middle class

Pop culture: Classic films

Regional notes: British and American. Dated but understood.

Variations

Powder my nosePowder one's nose