call of nature

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