Thursday 14 June 2007

Phrase of the Day 100: 'see a man about a dog'

"See a man about a dog"


definition: if you tell someone you are going to see a man about a dog, it is a way of saying that you do not want to tell them where you are really going.

example: "Steve didn't want Jana to know that he was going to buy drugs so he told her that he was going to see a man about a dog."

origin: The expression comes from the 1866 play 'Flying Scud' by Irish-born playwright Dion Boucicault. One of the characters uses the words as an excuse to get away from a tricky situation. This character says: "Excuse me Mr. Quail, I can't stop; I've got to see a man about a dog".

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