How do you use "Spend a penny" in a sentence?

I need to spend a penny. Excuse me, I must spend a penny. Just popping to spend a penny.

Spend a penny

Q: What does "Spend a penny" mean?

To use the toilet (euphemism) Old-fashioned British euphemism for going to the toilet. From the time when public toilets cost one penny to use.

Slang Term British ★★☆☆☆ Uncommon polite-euphemism

Meaning: To use the toilet (euphemism)

上厕所（委婉说法）

Ir al baño (eufemismo)

トイレに行く（婉曲表現）

화장실에 가다 (영국식 완곡 표현)

Old-fashioned British euphemism for going to the toilet. From the time when public toilets cost one penny to use.

英式老式委婉语，表示去上厕所。源自过去使用公共厕所需要付一便士的时代。

Eufemismo británico anticuado para ir al baño. De la época en que los aseos públicos costaban un penique.

トイレに行くことを表す古風なイギリスの婉曲表現。公衆トイレの使用料が1ペニーだった時代に由来する。

'Spend a penny'는 화장실에 가다는 뜻의 구식 영국 완곡 표현입니다. 과거 공중화장실 이용료가 1페니였던 데서 유래했습니다. 지금은 화장실에 간다는 말을 유머러스하고 고풍스럽게 표현할 때 씁니다.

Examples

I need to spend a penny.
我需要上个厕所
Necesito ir al servicio
ちょっとお手洗いに
실례합니다, 잠깐 화장실에 다녀올게요.
Excuse me, I must spend a penny.
不好意思，我得去一趟洗手间
Disculpe, tengo que ir al servicio
すみません、お手洗いに行かなくては
이 근처에 화장실이 어디 있을까요?
Just popping to spend a penny.
我去一下洗手间
Voy un momento al servicio
ちょっとお手洗いに行ってきます
잠깐 화장실에 다녀올게요.

Pronunciation

/spend ə ˈpeni/

Usage Guide

Context: toilet, bathroom, polite society

Tone: polite, old-fashioned

✓ Do Say

Need to spend a penny
需要上厕所
Necesito ir al servicio
お手洗いに行きたい
화장실에 가고 싶다는 고풍스러운 표현
Just spending a penny
去一下洗手间
Voy al servicio un momento
ちょっとお手洗いに
화장실에 가고 싶다는 고풍스러운 표현

✗ Don't Say

Very old-fashioned now
现在已经很老式了
Muy anticuado hoy en día
現在ではとても古風
매우 구식으로 들림

Common Mistakes

Using seriously—it's quite dated

Origin & History

From Victorian-era public toilets that required a penny to unlock the door. The phrase became a polite euphemism for using the toilet, especially for women.

Etymology: From penny-operated public toilet locks

First recorded: Victorian era, 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: Victorian to mid-20th century

Generation: Older generations

Social background: Middle class euphemism

Pop culture: Period dramas; Old-fashioned British humor

Regional notes: British only. Very dated.

Variations

Spend a pennyJust spending a penny