Idiom
spend a penny
Meanings
To go to the toilet, especially to urinate (a polite or humorous euphemism).
Definition
“Spend a penny” means to go to the toilet to urinate.
“Spend a penny” is a polite, informal British idiom meaning to go to the restroom, usually to pee. It comes from a time when some public toilets required a one‑penny coin to use. Today it is used humorously or euphemistically. It is less common in American English.
Examples
- I’ll be right back—I need to spend a penny.
- Could we stop soon? I really have to spend a penny.
- He excused himself to spend a penny before the meeting started.
- After the long bus ride, everyone wanted to spend a penny.
- She asked where she could spend a penny and then hurried off.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.