If I have a sudden need to use the restroom, how should I express that? I know there is an expression in British English - be caught short.
to suddenly and unexpectedly need to go to the toilet, especially when it is not convenient for you to do so
But I am looking for its North American equivalent.
nature’s call and call of nature
n. the feeling of a need to go to the toilet. I think I feel nature’s call coming on. (TFD)
(Don't know how common this is in AmE. I pretty sure it works in InE, though.)
You may ask: "Can I take a bathroom break, please?"
Bathroom break — ODO
(informal) A break in a meeting or other organized gathering to allow those in attendance to go to the toilet.
I'm sure it's well-understood in the U.S also. A famous usage example from the POTUS Bush in the middle of an important meeting (UN summit): — BBC News
I think I may need a bathroom break? Is this possible?
- polite phrase for to urinate:
- If you'll excuse me, I need to spend a penny.
Cambridge Dictionary
I don't think it's necessary (or desirable) to be too specific as to the exact activity you will be performing. It's sufficient to say you need to "use the washroom" (or bathroom, or restroom). The latter three nouns are more-or-less equivalent in some situations and regions and less so in others, so adapt to whatever is common where you are.
That said, I've seen people excuse themselves from long meetings saying that it was a for a "pee break".
In any case, if the need is of a more serious (as opposed to urgent) nature you can signal your intentions to not return immediately.
Non-native speakers often have somewhat awkward-sounding phrases for this- I've heard "I have to wash my hands" and "I have to make water", for example.
The Car Talk guys liked to use "see a man about a horse":
To see a man about a dog or horse is an English idiom, usually used as a way to say one needs to apologise for one's imminent departure or absence—generally to euphemistically conceal one's true purpose, such as going to use the toilet or going to buy a drink.
The original, non-facetious meaning was probably to place or settle a bet on a racing dog.
(Wikipedia)
Need to spend a penny is British, and it's terribly quaint. A more modern British equivalent is:
burst UK informal
I'm bursting to go to the loo!
In American English, if you were to say instead I'm bursting to go to the rest room, they should understand you. Otherwise, try:
polite word for urinate : He proceeded to relieve himself against a tree.
Understandable in both dialects, I just checked.
