Yiddish: He has a fly in his throat and wants to drown it.

He has a tickle in his throat—used as an excuse to drink.
SOURCE: Furman, Yidishe Shprikhverter un Rednsartn.

‏ער האָט אַ פֿליג אין האַלדז און וויל זי דערטרינקען.

Er hot a flig in haldz un vil zi dertrinken.

He has a fly in his throat and wants to drown it.