Idioms are colorful phrases that mean something different than the actual words inside them. People use them to talk about everyday events in a fun, interesting, or polite way. In this article, you will learn fifty unique idioms related to the bodily function of pooping.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean visiting the restroom for a bowel movement. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Pooping
1. Answer nature’s call
Definition: To step away to use the bathroom because your body needs to go.
Used in a Sentence: Mark had to pause the video game because he needed to answer nature’s call. / Every morning after drinking coffee, Leo feels the need to answer nature’s call.
Similar Expressions: Go to the bathroom / Answer the call of duty
2. Drop the kids off at the pool
Definition: A humorous phrase used to describe taking a poop in a toilet.
Used in a Sentence: Dad told everyone he was going to drop the kids off at the pool before dinner. / Uncle Sam joked that he needed to drop the kids off at the pool after eating too much chili.
Similar Expressions: Visit the porcelain throne / Go potty
3. Pinch a loaf
Definition: To pass a solid stool while sitting on the toilet.
Used in a Sentence: Greg stayed in the stall for a long time to pinch a loaf in peace. / The hike was great, but halfway through, Ben desperately needed to pinch a loaf behind a bush.
Similar Expressions: Drop a deuce / Cut a log
4. Make a deposit
Definition: To leave waste in the toilet bowl.
Used in a Sentence: Sarah locked the guest bathroom door to make a deposit after her heavy lunch. / Please wash your hands well after you make a deposit in the restroom.
Similar Expressions: Drop anchor / Leave a package
5. Go for a sit-down
Definition: To take a break and sit on the toilet for a bowel movement.
Used in a Sentence: Grandma said she had to go for a sit-down after finishing her morning tea. / Timmy took a quick go for a sit-down before running out to play soccer.
Similar Expressions: Have a sit / Take a toilet break
6. Do your business
Definition: A polite way to say that someone is using the restroom to poop or pee.
Used in a Sentence: The dog went outside to do his business in the tall grass. / Mia told her little brother to go do his business before they got in the car for a long trip.
Similar Expressions: Tend to matters / Empty out
7. Visit the smallest room
Definition: A British-style phrase meaning to go to the toilet.
Used in a Sentence: After eating the spicy pie, Arthur had to visit the smallest room right away. / Lady Clara excused herself from the tea party to visit the smallest room.
Similar Expressions: Go to the lavatory / Head to the loo
8. Drop anchor
Definition: A nautical slang term used when someone sits down to poop.
Used in a Sentence: Captain Pete announced he had to drop anchor after eating ship biscuits. / Toby ran down the hallway because he needed to drop anchor in a hurry.
Similar Expressions: Stop the ship / Park the boat
9. Powder your nose
Definition: An old-fashioned expression originally used by women to freshen up, but sometimes used generally for bathroom breaks.
Used in a Sentence: Aunt Sue whispered that she needed to powder her nose before the play started. / The actress left the interview for a moment to powder her nose.
Similar Expressions: Freshen up / Step away
10. Empty the tank
Definition: To clear out your digestive tract completely.
Used in a Sentence: After a weekend of eating junk food, Luke felt a strong need to empty the tank. / Max drank warm lemon water to help empty the tank on Monday morning.
Similar Expressions: Clear the pipes / Drain the system
11. Lay a cable
Definition: A funny way to describe passing a long, solid stool.
Used in a Sentence: The plumber joked about what people lay a cable with after fixing a clogged pipe. / Sam spent ten minutes in the outhouse trying to lay a cable.
Similar Expressions: Drop a log / Push out a snake
12. Go number two
Definition: The child-friendly and common term for having a bowel movement.
Used in a Sentence: The kindergarten teacher asked if any students needed to go number two before nap time. / Leo raised his hand because he had to go number two.
Similar Expressions: Have a bowel movement / Pass stool
13. Pass a brick
Definition: An exaggerated expression used when having a very hard or painful poop.
Used in a Sentence: Eating too much cheese made Oliver feel like he was trying to pass a brick. / Dana groaned on the toilet, feeling like she was about to pass a brick.
Similar Expressions: Struggle on the pot / Pass a stone
14. Clear the pipes
Definition: To relieve constipation or flush out the digestive system.
Used in a Sentence: Eating prunes every morning is a great way to clear the pipes. / Grandpa drank hot prune juice to clear the pipes and feel better.
Similar Expressions: Get things moving / Unblock the system
15. Push out a log
Definition: A graphic expression for forcing out a solid bowel movement.
Used in a Sentence: The camper grunted in the woods as he tried to push out a log. / Seth sat on the toilet reading a comic book while trying to push out a log.
Similar Expressions: Pinch a loaf / Drop a deuce
16. Go to the john
Definition: An American slang phrase meaning to use the bathroom.
Used in a Sentence: Dad went to the john during the commercial break of the football game. / Kyle asked where he could find the john in the crowded restaurant.
Similar Expressions: Use the head / Visit the washroom
17. Squeeze one out
Definition: To force a poop out when you are in a rush.
Used in a Sentence: Pat tried to squeeze one out quickly before the school bus arrived. / We have to leave in two minutes, so hurry up and squeeze one out.
Similar Expressions: Push one out / Force a movement
18. Drop a deuce
Definition: A popular slang term meaning to take a poop.
Used in a Sentence: Ethan told his friends he needed to drop a deuce before they played basketball. / The teenager locked himself in the bathroom to drop a deuce.
Similar Expressions: Take a dump / Drop a load
19. Take a dump
Definition: A very common, casual slang phrase for pooping.
Used in a Sentence: The dog stopped on the sidewalk to take a dump near the fire hydrant. / Sean groaned as he rushed upstairs to take a dump.
Similar Expressions: Drop a deuce / Relieve oneself
20. Relieve oneself
Definition: A formal or polite phrase for going to the bathroom to poop or pee.
Used in a Sentence: The knight stopped by a tree to relieve oneself during the long journey. / Bears usually find a quiet spot in the woods to relieve oneself.
Similar Expressions: Empty the bladder or bowels / Answer nature’s call
21. Go to the loo
Definition: A British phrase meaning to visit the toilet.
Used in a Sentence: Oliver asked the hotel clerk where he could find the loo. / Mum told the kids to use the loo before getting into the car.
Similar Expressions: Visit the restroom / Go to the WC
22. Have a movement
Definition: A medical or clinical way to describe passing waste from the body.
Used in a Sentence: The doctor asked if the patient had a regular bowel movement today. / The nurse checked the chart to see when the toddler last had a movement.
Similar Expressions: Pass stool / Clear the bowels
23. Pay a visit to the porcelain god
Definition: A humorous idiom used when someone is sitting on the toilet, often while feeling sick.
Used in a Sentence: After eating bad seafood, Gary spent the night paying a visit to the porcelain god. / Nick groaned as he hurried to pay a visit to the porcelain god.
Similar Expressions: Hug the toilet / Worship the bowl
24. Sit on the throne
Definition: A playful way to describe sitting down on the toilet seat.
Used in a Sentence: Dad grabbed his magazine and went to sit on the throne for a while. / No one was allowed to bother Grandpa while he sat on the throne reading the news.
Similar Expressions: Rule the porcelain / Occupy the seat
25. Do a number two
Definition: Another phrasing for using the toilet to have a bowel movement.
Used in a Sentence: The little boy proudly told his mom he did a number two all by himself. / Puppies need to go outside frequently to do a number two.
Similar Expressions: Go number two / Poop
26. Visit the reading room
Definition: A joking idiom about spending a long time reading while sitting on the toilet.
Used in a Sentence: Uncle Joe took three magazines with him when he visited the reading room. / If you look for Dad, you will probably find him hiding in the reading room.
Similar Expressions: Study on the pot / Read on the throne
27. Drop a load
Definition: A slang expression meaning to release waste from the body.
Used in a Sentence: The worker took a short break behind the warehouse to drop a load. / Toby grunted as he sat on the commode to drop a load.
Similar Expressions: Take a dump / Drop a deuce
28. Pass stool
Definition: A technical term used by doctors to mean pooping.
Used in a Sentence: The pediatrician asked if the baby could pass stool easily. / Tests showed that the animal could not pass stool normally.
Similar Expressions: Have a bowel movement / Eliminate waste
29. Go potty
Definition: A term used mostly with toddlers and young children when teaching them to use the toilet.
Used in a Sentence: The toddler told his teacher that he needed to go potty right now. / Puppy training involves teaching the dog where to go potty.
Similar Expressions: Use the training seat / Go to the bathroom
30. Empty the bowels
Definition: A formal description of getting rid of digested food waste.
Used in a Sentence: Eating fiber helps the human body comfortably empty the bowels every morning. / The medical text explained how the colon works to empty the bowels.
Similar Expressions: Clean out the system / Move the bowels
31. Go to the washroom
Definition: A polite phrase used in North America to mean going to the toilet.
Used in a Sentence: Emma raised her hand to ask if she could go to the washroom during class. / Please wash your hands with soap after you visit the washroom.
Similar Expressions: Use the restroom / Visit the powder room
32. Drop a bomb
Definition: A slang phrase used when someone makes a particularly smelly or loud poop.
Used in a Sentence: Everyone ran out of the hallway after Jerry went in to drop a bomb. / The dog dropped a bomb in the backyard that cleared the patio.
Similar Expressions: Stink up the place / Drop a smelly one
33. Clear the decks
Definition: A naval expression sometimes used jokingly to mean getting rid of waste or clearing things out.
Used in a Sentence: Before starting his heavy workout, Carl liked to clear the decks in the bathroom. / The athlete ate a banana to help clear the decks before the race.
Similar Expressions: Empty out / Clear the system
34. Go for a dump
Definition: A direct, casual British and Australian slang phrase for taking a poop.
Used in a Sentence: Gavin grabbed his phone and went for a dump after breakfast. / The hiker stopped behind a tree to go for a dump.
Similar Expressions: Take a dump / Drop a deuce
35. Make water and waste
Definition: A formal, archaic military or legal phrase for using the bathroom.
Used in a Sentence: Old sailors used to talk about stopping the ship to make water and waste. / The historical diary described how travelers stopped to make water and waste.
Similar Expressions: Relieve oneself / Empty out
36. Unload cargo
Definition: A metaphor comparing the human digestive system to a shipping vessel carrying freight.
Used in a Sentence: The truck driver stopped at the rest stop to unload cargo and stretch his legs. / After a huge Thanksgiving dinner, everyone felt ready to unload cargo.
Similar Expressions: Drop anchor / Make a deposit
37. Go to the little boys room
Definition: A polite expression used by or for young boys when they need the toilet.
Used in a Sentence: The teacher walked the kindergarten student to the little boys room. / Timmy whispered to his mother that he had to visit the little boys room.
Similar Expressions: Use the men’s room / Go to the restroom
38. Go to the little girls room
Definition: A polite expression used by or for young girls when they need the toilet.
Used in a Sentence: Lily asked her aunt where she could find the little girls room. / The little girl grabbed her doll and hurried to the little girls room.
Similar Expressions: Use the ladies’ room / Visit the powder room
39. Pay a visit to Aunt Sally
Definition: An old regional slang expression used as a coded way to say you are going to the toilet.
Used in a Sentence: Great-grandpa used to say he had to pay a visit to Aunt Sally after every meal. / The old farmer excused himself from the table to pay a visit to Aunt Sally.
Similar Expressions: Answer nature’s call / Step out
40. Sit on the commode
Definition: Using the formal word for a toilet to describe the act of sitting down to poop.
Used in a Sentence: The plumber replaced the old pipes connected to the commode. / Arthur sat on the commode for twenty reading his book.
Similar Expressions: Sit on the throne / Use the toilet
41. Visit the facility
Definition: A corporate or public building term used to describe going to the public restroom.
Used in a Sentence: The worker walked down the long hallway to visit the facility. / Please keep the facility clean after you use it.
Similar Expressions: Use the restroom / Go to the washroom
42. Drop a log in the bowl
Definition: A colorful phrase describing the splash and sound of a solid bowel movement.
Used in a Sentence: The teenager laughed as he rushed upstairs to drop a log in the bowl. / Toby joked about how loud it was when he had to drop a log in the bowl.
Similar Expressions: Pinch a loaf / Drop a deuce
43. Move your bowels
Definition: A standard medical phrase for passing waste from your body.
Used in a Sentence: Eating fiber-rich foods every day helps you move your bowels regularly. / The doctor asked if the medicine helped the patient move his bowels.
Similar Expressions: Pass stool / Have a movement
44. Go to the head
Definition: Nautical slang meaning to go to the toilet on a boat or ship.
Used in a Sentence: The captain told the new sailor where to find the head on the lower deck. / Everyone on the yacht knew how to clean the head properly.
Similar Expressions: Visit the loo / Go to the restroom
45. Park the car
Definition: A funny rhyming slang expression used by some people to mean sitting down on the toilet.
Used in a Sentence: Dad said he needed to go park the car before watching the movie. / Uncle Bob smiled and said it was time to go park the car.
Similar Expressions: Sit on the throne / Drop anchor
46. Clear the pipes out
Definition: A phrase used when you feel completely blocked up and finally get relief.
Used in a Sentence: Drinking hot tea and eating fruit helped him clear the pipes out. / After feeling sick all morning, Luke was glad to finally clear the pipes out.
Similar Expressions: Empty the tank / Unblock the system
47. Drop a steamer
Definition: A crude slang term describing a very warm or fresh poop.
Used in a Sentence: The dog dropped a steamer on the cold morning grass. / The boys laughed when someone made a joke about dropping a steamer.
Similar Expressions: Take a dump / Drop a deuce
48. Visit the water closet
Definition: A traditional British term for a room containing a toilet, often shortened to WC.
Used in a Sentence: The hotel room had a small sign pointing toward the water closet. / Arthur walked down the hall to find the water closet.
Similar Expressions: Go to the loo / Visit the lavatory
49. Do the needful in the bathroom
Definition: A formal or indirect way to say you are taking care of your bathroom habits.
Used in a Sentence: The teacher told the young student to go do the needful in the bathroom. / Sam stepped away from the meeting to do the needful in the bathroom.
Similar Expressions: Do your business / Relieve oneself
50. Drop waste
Definition: A literal and plain description of getting rid of bodily waste in a toilet.
Used in a Sentence: Modern toilets are designed to flush away dropped waste quickly. / The camping toilet was built to collect dropped waste safely.
Similar Expressions: Eliminate waste / Make a deposit
Exercise to Practice
- Mark had to pause the video game because he needed to answer nature’s call.
- Grandma said she had to drop the kids off at the pool before eating her cereal.
- Eating too much cheese made Oliver feel like he was trying to pass a brick.
- The kindergarten teacher asked if any students needed to climb a tall mountain.
- After a weekend of eating junk food, Luke felt a strong need to empty the tank.
- Dad grabbed his magazine and went to paint the living room wall.
- The plumber joked about what people lay a cable with after fixing a clogged pipe.
- Emma raised her hand to ask if she could go to the washroom during class.
- Ethan told his friends he needed to drop a deuce before they played basketball.
- The dog stopped on the sidewalk to fly a kite near the fire hydrant.
- Oliver asked the hotel clerk where he could find the loo.
- The doctor asked if the patient had a regular bowl movement today.
- The knight stopped by a tree to bake a chocolate cake during the long journey.
- Dad said he needed to go park the car before watching the movie.
- Modern toilets are designed to swim across the ocean quickly.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
Conclusion
Learning these idioms helps you understand fun and creative ways people talk about everyday bodily functions in English conversation. Knowing these expressions also makes it easier to catch jokes and slang used by friends or in books.
Try using a few of these phrases playfully when talking with close friends or family members. Practicing them in daily life will make your English vocabulary sound much more natural and fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for pooping?
Some common idioms include answering nature’s call, dropping the kids off at the pool, and going number two. People use these colorful phrases to talk about visiting the restroom without being too direct.
Why do we use idioms in English?
Idioms make our language more colorful, creative, and fun to speak and listen to. Instead of using plain words, idioms help paint a picture in the listener’s mind.
Are these idioms polite to use everywhere?
Most of these idioms are casual, funny, or slang phrases that you should only use with close friends or family. In formal situations or professional places, it is usually better to use polite terms like visiting the restroom.
How can I learn more English idioms?
You can learn more idioms by reading storybooks, listening to native speakers, and practicing new phrases every day. Keeping a small notebook of fun expressions is also a great way to remember them.
Can children use these funny phrases?
Yes, children often use simple terms like going number two or doing your business when talking about the bathroom. Fun expressions can make learning about daily habits entertaining for kids.
