English Reference
Idiom idiom

shy bladder


An inability to urinate in the presence of others.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

He cannot use public restrooms because he has a shy bladder.

CONTEXTUAL

I always choose a private stall because I suffer from a shy bladder in crowded bathrooms.

COMPLEX

Despite his best efforts to remain calm, his shy bladder made it impossible to provide the required sample at the clinic.


Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    few cards shy of a full deck

    Mentally deranged; demented; insane.

  2. 02

    fight shy

    To avoid meeting at a close distance or at close quarters; to keep out of reach, to avoid.

Last updated August 10, 2026