powder one's nose

present singular third person powders one's nose · participle present powdering one's nose · participle past powdered one's nose · past powdered one's nose

1. euphemistictypically of womenTo visit a lavatory to use a toilet, reapply makeup, (when used of a group of women) engage in private conversation, etc.

   C'mon girls; let's go powder our noses.

   2 more examples

   I'll be right back. I just have to powder my nose.

   "...Where's the ladies' in this joint? I've to powder me nose."

   1996, Deirdre Purcell, Roses After Rain, page 335

2. slangTo snort cocaine or other types of drugs through one's nose.

   The cokehead couldn't go more than a couple hours without powdering his nose.

   1 more example

   Well I'll tell you what, I'll go to the bathroom and powder my nose, while you sit here and think of something to say.

   1994, Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avary, Pulp Fiction, spoken by Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman)