Idioms

call of nature

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call of nature

The urge to urinate or defecate. Jim is off answering the call of nature. Wait a minute, I have to go answer the call of nature. Fellas, get us a table. I have to go answer the call of nature.
See also: call, nature, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

call of nature

Euph. the need to go to the lavatory. Stop the car here! I have to answer the call of nature. There was no break in the agenda, not even for the call of nature.
See also: call, nature, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

call of nature

Need to urinate or defecate, as in He left to answer the call of nature. This euphemism may be dying out. [Mid-1800s]
See also: call, nature, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

call of nature

used euphemistically to refer to a need to urinate or defecate.
See also: call, nature, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

a call of ˈnature

(humorous) a need to go to the toilet: He left the meeting to answer a call of nature.
See also: call, nature, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

call of nature

verb
See nature’s call
See also: call, nature, of
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

call of nature

A need to urinate or defecate. Often used with answer: He left the room to answer the call of nature.
See also: call, nature, of
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

call of nature

Euphemism for a need to use a toilet. The term dates from the mid-1700s. It appeared in Tailor and Cutter (Oct. 14, 1852): “The calls of nature are permitted and Clerical Staff may use the garden below the second gate.” Much more recently, a New York Times restaurant review by Frank Bruni told patrons, “Be sure to head downstairs to the bathrooms, even if nature doesn’t call” and goes on to describe their attractive appearance (Jan. 26, 2005). A similar euphemism, used mostly by women, is to powder one’s nose. Another euphemistic cliché for a restroom is little boys’ room, used by men no matter what their age.
See also: call, nature, of
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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References in periodicals archive
'The end doesn't justify the means but I needed to answer the call of nature because I had been stuck in traffic for three hours.
Maria Isabel Lopez summoned by LTO over infractions
Murder Mile by Tony Black becomes fixated on Edinburgh after dark and some clubbers on their way home from a night out pull over on the bypass to answer the call of nature.
MURDER MYSTERY IS GRIPPING STUFF; Murder Mile by Tony Black
Every time a user answer a call of nature, this high-tech loo analyses their urine, blood pressure, temperature and weight, reports the Sun.
Now, a toilet to give instant health check!
Last night David, from St Paul's in Bristol, said: "I stopped to answer the call of nature and within minutes I was stuck in the mud.
I WENT FOR A WEE & GOT STUCK IN A BOG
The call of nature has gone out after visitors to Crosby and Waterloo to see artist Anthony Gormley's Another Place statues asked for help.
NOWHERETOGO; Contest for super loos
Thirdly, if you're forced to answer a call of nature for a "comfort break" you're faced with some serious choices.
Paula Radcliffe's London Marathon 'comfort break' Everyone's talking about..
The only hiccup occurred when the call of nature saw the Bedford star have a pit stop after her stomach reacted to eating too much before the race.
Radcliffe has the world at her feet
Staff at the Science Museum in London hope to harness their visitors' call of nature to generate thousands of watts and cut electricity bills.
Museum may let rip with poo power idea
IT was meant to be a call of nature but it almost turned into a guest appearance at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
GAMES SPECTATOR IS LED A MERRY DANCE - THEN THROWN OUT
But in the middle of the night the 41-year-old received the call of Nature, fell over the rowing boat and broke his leg.
OAPs robbed of pounds 17,000
I'm quite capable of washing my own hands and drying them after a call of nature.
Stephen Maguire Column: I BUCKED THE TREND HERE IN TIPPING CITY
'The end doesn't justify the means, but I needed to answer the call of nature because I had been stuck in traffic for three hours.
Beauty queen says sorry for removing traffic cones
The Paisley singer made a quick exit, obviously before he could answer the call of nature, and was then seen peeing against a wall outside.
PEELO NUTINI
ALESHA Dixon tumbled 10ft down Kilimanjaro - while answering the call of nature.
Alesha falls on climb of Kilimanjaro; COMIC RELIEF
We can imagine how this mythical train would have had to stop at every station so that passengers could exercise a call of nature, naturally after asking the driver to wait for them.
Birmingham Post Comment: Toilet humour
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