Spend a penny

Suggest a Correction

Meaning

Use the toilet, especially to urinate. Historically associated particularly with women's pay cubicles because men's urinals were often free. Regional use: United Kingdom and Ireland; understood in parts of the Commonwealth.

Origin

The euphemism refers to coin-operated locks on British public lavatory cubicles, which once charged one pre-decimal penny. Such locks appeared in the 19th century, but the phrase itself is not documented until the 20th and has a printed example from 1945.

Variants

  • Go and spend a penny
  • Spending a penny

Usage Examples

  • Before the coach leaves, I need to find somewhere to spend a penny.
  • Gran announced that she was off to spend a penny and would meet us by the entrance.

Browse More

A to Z More S phrases