What is a way to express 'a sudden need to urinate or defecate'?

phrase-requests idiom-requests expression-requests north-american-english

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?

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