powder your nose

powder (one's) nose

euphemism To go to the bathroom. The phrase is a polite expression used to excuse oneself when going to the bathroom. Typically used by women. I'll join you at the table in a minute, I just need to powder my nose.
See also: nose, powder
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

powder your nose

(of a woman) go to the lavatory.
This is an early 20th-century euphemism, which is now rather dated. The term powder room has been used since the 1940s to refer to a ladies' toilet in a hotel, restaurant, or similar public building.
1972 L. P. Davies What Did I Do Tomorrow? I'll use your bathroom. To powder my nose, as nice girls say.
See also: nose, powder
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

(go to) powder your ˈnose

(old-fashioned or humorous) a polite way of referring to the fact that a woman is going to the toilet: I’m just going to powder my nose and I’ll be with you in a minute.
See also: nose, powder
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • pluck a rose
  • powder (one's) nose
  • powder nose
  • powder one’s nose
  • powder one’s face
  • powder (one's) face
  • bathroom
  • go to see a man about a dog
  • go see a man about a dog
  • see a man about a dog
References in periodicals archive
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Here's your cue to ask your crush to dance or exit stage left to grab a glass of punch, powder your nose, giggle at the awkwardness ...
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But it is not acceptable for him to then follow you like a loyal labrador when you go to powder your nose."
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It can't take that long to powder your nose," Peter said earlier.
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Picture this: you're in a fancy restaurant, had one or maybe two drinks, nature calls and you have to go -- um, powder your nose.
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Finally, you may want to powder your nose during the day, so get some MAC Blot powder, or carry some MAC Blot Film.
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Every 50 minutes he said to me and the other woman who was being interviewed, "Now, let's take a break so you can go powder your nose." I don't know if he had instructions from his wife about how to handle a potential woman director, it was clear he was extremely uncomfortable.
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So when you go to powder your nose you can emerge looking like you've just stepped out of the salon.
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