ENGLISH
REFERENCE

answer the call of nature

idiom
Meaning

To satisfy a bodily urge to urinate or defecate.


Origin

disputed origin

From answer the call + call of nature in reference to a need to urinate or defecate.

Examples
SIMPLE

Excuse me, I need to answer the call of nature.

CONTEXTUAL

During the long hike, he had to step behind a tree to answer the call of nature.

COMPLEX

The speaker paused mid-sentence, clearly needing to answer the call of nature, and hurried toward the nearest restroom.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    answer on a postcard

    A brief answer or opinion.

  2. 02

    answer someone's prayers

    To be or do exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  3. 03

    answer to someone's prayers

    Exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  4. 04

    better nature

    the more amiable qualities of someone

  5. 05

    call a lid

    To inform the press that no further news will be released from a governmental body that day.

  6. 06

    call a spade a spade

    To put it bluntly, to be outspoken; to speak the truth, to describe things as they really are.

  7. 07

    call an audible

    To change plans at the last minute in response to new information.

  8. 08

    call it

    To call it a day

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