How do you use "See a man about a dog" in a sentence?

Excuse me, I have to see a man about a dog. Where are you going?' 'To see a man about a dog. Just seeing a man about a dog.

See a man about a dog

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

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Meaning: Humorous excuse for going to the toilet (or leaving for any reason).

去上厕所（或因任何原因离开）的幽默借口。

Excusa humorística para ir al váter (o irse por cualquier motivo).

トイレに行く（またはどんな理由でも席を外す）時のユーモラスな口実。

화장실에 가거나 자리를 비울 때 쓰는 유머러스한 핑계.

'See a man about a dog' is a humorous, evasive excuse for leaving—often specifically to use the toilet. The phrase is deliberately nonsensical, used when you don't want to state your real reason.

'See a man about a dog（去找个人谈谈狗的事）'是一个幽默、回避性的离开借口——通常特指去上厕所。这个短语故意荒谬无意义，在你不想说明真实原因时使用。

'See a man about a dog' (ver a un hombre por lo del perro) es una excusa humorística y evasiva para irse, a menudo específicamente para ir al váter. La frase es deliberadamente absurda, usada cuando no quieres decir tu verdadero motivo.

「See a man about a dog（犬のことである人に会わなければ）」は席を外す時のユーモラスではぐらかすような口実。特にトイレに行く時に使われる。わざと意味不明にしている表現で、本当の理由を言いたくない時に使う。

'See a man about a dog'은 자리를 비울 때, 특히 화장실에 갈 때 쓰는 유머러스하고 얼버무리는 핑계입니다. 진짜 이유를 말하고 싶지 않을 때 의도적으로 엉뚱한 말을 하는 것입니다.

Examples

Excuse me, I have to see a man about a dog.
不好意思，我得去找个人谈谈狗的事
Disculpe, tengo que ver a un hombre por lo del perro
失礼、犬のことで人に会わなければ
실례합니다, 개 때문에 사람을 만나야 해서요.
Where are you going?' 'To see a man about a dog.
你去哪？''去找个人谈谈狗的事
¿Adónde vas?' 'A ver a un hombre por lo del perro
「どこ行くの？」「犬のことで人に会いに」
어디 가?' '개 때문에 사람 만나러.
Just seeing a man about a dog.
只是去找个人谈谈狗的事
Solo voy a ver a un hombre por lo del perro
ちょっと犬のことで人に会ってくる
잠깐 개 때문에 사람 만나고 올게.

Pronunciation

/siː ə mæn əˈbaʊt ə dɒɡ/

Usage Guide

Context: humorous evasion

Tone: humorous, evasive

✓ Do Say

Humorous excuse for leaving
离开的幽默借口
excusa humorística para irse
席を外すユーモラスな口実
자리를 비울 때 쓰는 유머러스한 핑계

✗ Don't Say

Very old-fashioned
非常老式
Muy anticuado
とても古風
매우 구식인 표현

Common Mistakes

Old-fashioned—used knowingly/ironically

Origin & History

Victorian-era phrase originally about actual horse/dog betting. Became humorous evasion for any unexplained departure, especially toilet visits. The vagueness is the point.

Etymology: Victorian era, originally about betting

First recorded: 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century

Generation: Older generations

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Victorian era

Regional notes: Universal English, dated.

Variations

See a man about a dogSee a man about a horse