passing water

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Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The act of urination: "passing water" is a polite or euphemistic phrase used to describe the bodily function of discharging urine from the body.
Usage
  • The phrase "passing water" is a common euphemism. It is used in formal, polite, or medical contexts to discuss urination without using direct or potentially crude terms.
  • It is typically used as a noun phrase, often following verbs like "need to," "have to," or "go for."
Examples
  • Noun:
    • The patient reported difficulty in passing water.
    • Excuse me, I need to go and pass some water.
    • Frequent passing of water can be a symptom of several conditions.
Advanced Usage
  • "to pass water": This is the verbal form of the noun phrase. It functions as a phrasal verb meaning to urinate.
    • The doctor asked if it hurt when he passed water.
Variants and Related Words
  • Micturition (n): The formal medical term for the act of urinating.
  • Voiding (n): Another clinical term for emptying the bladder.
  • Urination (n): The standard, non-euphemistic term for the process.
Synonyms
  • Take a leak: (informal, slightly vulgar) To urinate.
  • Pee: (informal) To urinate.
  • Urinate: (standard, clinical) To discharge urine.
Related Phrases
  • Go to the bathroom/lavatory/loo: General euphemisms for leaving to urinate or defecate.
  • Answer the call of nature: A humorous or very polite euphemism for needing to use the toilet.
Notes on Meaning
  • The phrase is exclusively a euphemism for urination. It does not refer to other bodily functions or the literal passing of water (e.g., a river).
  • Its use softens the directness of the topic, making it suitable for polite conversation or professional settings like healthcare.
Noun
  1. a euphemism for urination
    • he had to take a leak

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