Australians love to use fun and colourful sayings when they talk. These sayings, called idioms, help people share ideas in clever ways. You might hear someone say, “He’s got kangaroos loose in the top paddock,” and wonder what that means. That’s an Aussie way to describe someone acting a bit silly. Idioms like this are part of what makes Australian English special and different from how people speak in other places, like the USA.
In this article, we’ll explore 35 idioms about Australia. You’ll learn what they mean, how Aussies use them, and see easy examples. This article is written using Australian English, so some words might sound different from American English. That’s okay—it’s a great way to see how people speak down under. Let’s get in and have a fair go at learning these Aussie sayings.
Idioms About Australia
1. Flat out like a lizard drinking
Meaning: Very busy
Example Sentence:
• I was flat out like a lizard drinking getting my homework done.
• Mum was flat out all day cooking for the family BBQ.
Other ways to say: Super busy, working hard
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom is Aussie humour. It sounds lazy, but really means you’re working quickly—like a lizard flicking its tongue.
Usage: Used when someone is really busy doing things.
2. Mad as a cut snake
Meaning: Acting very wild or angry
Example Sentence:
• He went mad as a cut snake when he lost the game.
• That driver was mad as a cut snake on the road.
Other ways to say: Super angry, wild
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how snakes act when they’re hurt—twisting and snapping.
Usage: Used when someone is really angry or out of control.
3. A few roos loose in the top paddock
Meaning: Someone is acting silly or not thinking straight
Example Sentence:
• That bloke’s got a few roos loose in the top paddock.
• She talks to her plants—might have a few roos loose!
Other ways to say: A bit off, not thinking clearly
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to kangaroos (roos) running loose in a paddock, making it sound like the brain is not working properly.
Usage: Used in a funny way to say someone is a bit odd.
4. Fair dinkum
Meaning: Honest or true
Example Sentence:
• He’s a fair dinkum Aussie.
• Is that story fair dinkum or are you making it up?
Other ways to say: True blue, honest
Fun Fact/Origin: “Dinkum” has roots in English miners’ slang. Aussies added “fair” to make it stronger.
Usage: Used to show something is genuine or real.
5. Carrying on like a pork chop
Meaning: Acting silly or overreacting
Example Sentence:
• Stop carrying on like a pork chop—it’s just a small bug.
• She was carrying on like a pork chop after losing the toy.
Other ways to say: Overreacting, acting silly
Fun Fact/Origin: No one’s sure where it started, but Aussies love using food in sayings.
Usage: Used when someone is being overly dramatic or foolish.
6. Built like a brick dunny
Meaning: Someone who is very strong or solid
Example Sentence:
• That football player is built like a brick dunny.
• He’s built like a brick dunny—wouldn’t want to mess with him.
Other ways to say: Very strong, solid
Fun Fact/Origin: A “dunny” is Aussie slang for an outdoor toilet. Brick ones are known for being super sturdy.
Usage: Used to describe someone with a tough or muscular body.
7. Like a stunned mullet
Meaning: Looking confused or dazed
Example Sentence:
• He stood there like a stunned mullet when the teacher called on him.
• I was like a stunned mullet when I saw the surprise party.
Other ways to say: Shocked, confused
Fun Fact/Origin: Mullets are fish that freeze when caught—like they’re in shock.
Usage: Used when someone is caught off guard or doesn’t know what to do.
8. Have a go, ya mug!
Meaning: Give it a try
Example Sentence:
• Come on, have a go, ya mug—it’s not that hard.
• He wouldn’t even try! I yelled, “Have a go, ya mug!”
Other ways to say: Try it, give it a shot
Fun Fact/Origin: “Mug” is friendly slang for a person, often used in sport or fun challenges.
Usage: Used to encourage someone to give something a go.
9. Couldn’t run a chook raffle
Meaning: Not very good at organising or leading
Example Sentence:
• He couldn’t run a chook raffle, let alone a school event.
• The team was so lost—looked like they couldn’t run a chook raffle.
Other ways to say: Bad at organising, not in control
Fun Fact/Origin: A chook raffle is a simple Aussie prize draw, usually at pubs. Saying someone can’t even manage that means they’re really hopeless at leading.
Usage: Used to describe someone who can’t organise simple things or isn’t fit to be in charge.
10. Cactus
Meaning: Broken or not working
Example Sentence:
• My phone’s cactus—it won’t even turn on.
• The old lawn mower is cactus again.
Other ways to say: Broken, dead
Fun Fact/Origin: Aussies say “cactus” like the plant—something that’s dried up or useless.
Usage: Used when something isn’t working anymore.
11. Dog’s breakfast
Meaning: A big mess or something badly done
Example Sentence:
• His science project looked like a dog’s breakfast.
• She made a dog’s breakfast of the report.
Other ways to say: Messy, poorly done
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the messy way dogs eat their food.
Usage: Used when something looks or turns out messy.
12. Go walkabout
Meaning: To wander off or disappear for a bit
Example Sentence:
• My keys went walkabout again!
• He went walkabout during class and missed the lesson.
Other ways to say: Wander off, go missing
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from Aboriginal culture, where people travel long distances through the land.
Usage: Used when someone or something disappears or strays.
13. Technicolor yawn
Meaning: To vomit
Example Sentence:
• After the roller coaster, he did a technicolor yawn.
• Too many lollies made her do a technicolor yawn.
Other ways to say: Throw up, be sick
Fun Fact/Origin: A colourful Aussie way of describing vomit.
Usage: Used when someone gets sick, often from food or motion.
14. Hit the frog and toad
Meaning: To leave or go
Example Sentence:
• Time to hit the frog and toad—see ya later!
• We hit the frog and toad after dinner.
Other ways to say: Head off, leave
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s rhyming slang for “road.” Frog and toad = road.
Usage: Used when someone is leaving a place.
15. Pull ya head in
Meaning: Stop acting up or mind your own business
Example Sentence:
• You better pull ya head in and stop yelling.
• He told me to pull my head in when I got too nosy.
Other ways to say: Settle down, stay out of it
Fun Fact/Origin: Like telling someone to shrink back and behave.
Usage: Used when someone’s being annoying or rude.
16. Chuck a sickie
Meaning: Take a day off work or school by pretending to be sick
Example Sentence:
• He chucked a sickie to play video games.
• Don’t chuck a sickie or you’ll fall behind.
Other ways to say: Fake being sick, take a day off
Fun Fact/Origin: A very Aussie way of skipping out on duties.
Usage: Used when someone takes time off pretending to be ill.
17. She’ll be right
Meaning: Everything will be okay
Example Sentence:
• Forgot your lunch? She’ll be right, mate.
• The bike’s a bit wobbly, but she’ll be right.
Other ways to say: It’s fine, no worries
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows how laid-back Aussies are.
Usage: Used to say something will be okay, even if it’s not perfect.
18. Spit the dummy
Meaning: Throw a tantrum or get upset
Example Sentence:
• He spat the dummy when he lost the game.
• Don’t spit the dummy just because it’s raining.
Other ways to say: Throw a fit, get angry
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from babies spitting out their pacifiers when upset.
Usage: Used when someone overreacts or throws a fit.
19. On the piss
Meaning: Drinking alcohol
Example Sentence:
• They were on the piss all night at the pub.
• Uncle Joe goes on the piss every weekend.
Other ways to say: Drinking, having a few beers
Fun Fact/Origin: A casual Aussie way to say someone’s out drinking.
Usage: Used when talking about someone drinking alcohol (informal).
20. As dry as a dead dingo’s donga
Meaning: Extremely thirsty or dry
Example Sentence:
• I’m dry as a dead dingo’s donga—need a drink!
• The outback’s dry as a dead dingo’s donga in summer.
Other ways to say: Very dry, parched
Fun Fact/Origin: Very Aussie and humorous; refers to dry outback conditions.
Usage: Used to describe thirst or dryness.
21. Off like a bucket of prawns in the sun
Meaning: Gone bad or smelling terrible
Example Sentence:
• That milk’s off like a bucket of prawns in the sun.
• His socks were off like prawns in the sun—gross!
Other ways to say: Rotten, stinky
Fun Fact/Origin: In hot Aussie weather, prawns go bad fast.
Usage: Used to describe something that smells awful.
22. Go off like a frog in a sock
Meaning: Get excited or move around crazily
Example Sentence:
• The dog went off like a frog in a sock chasing the ball.
• Kids went off like frogs in socks at the party.
Other ways to say: Wild, over-excited
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagine a frog trapped in a sock—it’d go wild!
Usage: Used to describe wild or busy behaviour.
23. Have a stickybeak
Meaning: Take a look at something, often being nosy
Example Sentence:
• Let’s have a stickybeak at the new shop.
• She’s always having a stickybeak at other people’s business.
Other ways to say: Take a look, be nosy
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from birds sticking their beaks in where they don’t belong.
Usage: Used when someone is looking at something curiously or nosily.
24. No worries
Meaning: It’s okay or don’t stress
Example Sentence:
• No worries, mate—I’ve got it sorted.
• Forgot your hat? No worries, we’ll share.
Other ways to say: It’s fine, don’t worry
Fun Fact/Origin: A phrase used daily across Australia
Usage: Used to say everything is okay or not a problem.
25. It’s my shout
Meaning: I’ll pay this time (especially for drinks)
Example Sentence:
• Don’t worry—it’s my shout this round.
• He said it was his shout, so we thanked him.
Other ways to say: I’ll cover it, my treat
Fun Fact/Origin: Aussie pub slang for who’s paying next
Usage: Used when offering to pay, usually for drinks or food.
26. Like a rat up a drainpipe
Meaning: Very fast or eager
Example Sentence:
• He ran off like a rat up a drainpipe.
• She grabbed the last piece like a rat up a drainpipe.
Other ways to say: Super fast, quick as a flash
Fun Fact/Origin: Rats can dart quickly through pipes—very speedy!
Usage: Used to describe someone doing something really fast.
27. Full as a goog
Meaning: Very full from eating
Example Sentence:
• After dinner, I was full as a goog.
• He was full as a goog after the BBQ.
Other ways to say: Stuffed, had enough
Fun Fact/Origin: “Goog” is Aussie slang for egg—round and full.
Usage: Used when someone eats too much.
28. Thongs
Meaning: Flip-flops (not underwear!)
Example Sentence:
• Don’t forget your thongs—we’re heading to the beach.
• I broke my thongs while walking on the sand.
Other ways to say: Flip-flops, sandals
Fun Fact/Origin: In Australia, “thongs” are shoes, not underpants.
Usage: Used when talking about beach footwear.
29. A tall poppy
Meaning: Someone successful or standing out
Example Sentence:
• Tall poppies often get cut down in the media.
• Don’t be afraid to be a tall poppy—stand out.
Other ways to say: High achiever, standout
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that tall poppies get cut to match the rest.
Usage: Used to describe someone successful or outstanding.
30. Bloody oath
Meaning: Absolutely true or I agree
Example Sentence:
• “That was a great game.” – “Bloody oath!”
• “It’s hot today!” – “Bloody oath it is.”
Other ways to say: For sure, totally
Fun Fact/Origin: Common Aussie slang; “bloody” adds strength to the phrase.
Usage: Used when strongly agreeing with something.
31. Drier than a dead dingoes donga
Meaning: Extremely dry
Example Sentence:
• My throat’s drier than a dead dingoes donga.
• The land’s drier than a dead dingoes donga after summer.
Other ways to say: Really dry, thirsty
Fun Fact/Origin: A funny and colourful Aussie way to say very dry.
Usage: Used when it’s very dry or someone is very thirsty.
32. Blowing the froth off a few
Meaning: Having a few beers
Example Sentence:
• The blokes were blowing the froth off a few after work.
• Nothing like blowing the froth off a few on the weekend.
Other ways to say: Having a drink, enjoying a beer
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the froth on top of a cold beer.
Usage: Used when relaxing with drinks.
33. Like pulling teeth
Meaning: Very difficult or painful to do
Example Sentence:
• Getting him to help was like pulling teeth.
• Homework today felt like pulling teeth.
Other ways to say: Hard work, not easy
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how painful pulling a tooth can be.
Usage: Used when something is very difficult.
34. Kangaroo loose in the top paddock
Meaning: A bit crazy or silly
Example Sentence:
• That idea’s got a kangaroo loose in the top paddock.
• He’s funny, but he’s got a kangaroo loose.
Other ways to say: Not all there, a bit nutty
Fun Fact/Origin: Kangaroos jumping around where they shouldn’t—like in your head!
Usage: Used in a playful way to call someone silly.
35. Buckley’s chance
Meaning: No chance at all
Example Sentence:
• You’ve got Buckley’s chance of beating her at chess.
• He had Buckley’s of finishing that test in 10 minutes.
Other ways to say: No way, zero chance
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from William Buckley, an escaped convict who survived against all odds.
Usage: Used when something is nearly impossible.
Quiz: Idioms About Australia
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Only one answer is correct. Think about what each Aussie saying really means.
Question Key
1. What does “Flat out like a lizard drinking” mean?
a) Resting in the sun
b) Very busy
c) Acting silly
2. If someone is “mad as a cut snake,” what are they like?
a) Very angry or wild
b) Very tired
c) Really happy
3. What does it mean if someone has “a few roos loose in the top paddock”?
a) They own kangaroos
b) They’re not thinking clearly
c) They are good at maths
4. What does “Fair dinkum” mean?
a) A fun story
b) A tasty snack
c) True or honest
5. If someone is “carrying on like a pork chop,” what are they doing?
a) Acting silly or overreacting
b) Cooking dinner
c) Telling a joke
6. What does it mean to “chuck a sickie”?
a) Get better from a cold
b) Pretend to be sick to skip school or work
c) Call a doctor
7. What does “She’ll be right” mean?
a) It will rain soon
b) Things will be okay
c) You should turn right
8. What does “spit the dummy” mean?
a) To drop your lollipop
b) To throw a tantrum or get upset
c) To clean your mouth
9. If someone says “It’s my shout,” what are they doing?
a) Yelling loudly
b) Paying for the next round of drinks
c) Singing a song
10. What does “Go off like a frog in a sock” mean?
a) Act calm and quiet
b) Move slowly
c) Act wild or excited
11. If something smells “off like a bucket of prawns in the sun,” what does that mean?
a) It’s very fresh
b) It smells terrible
c) It’s cooking fast
12. What does “have a stickybeak” mean?
a) Look into something curiously or nosily
b) Feed the birds
c) Walk in the bush
13. If someone says you’ve got “Buckley’s chance,” what does that mean?
a) You’re almost there
b) You have no chance
c) You should ask Buckley for help
Answer Key
- b) Very busy
- a) Very angry or wild
- b) They’re not thinking clearly
- c) True or honest
- a) Acting silly or overreacting
- b) Pretend to be sick to skip school or work
- b) Things will be okay
- b) To throw a tantrum or get upset
- b) Paying for the next round of drinks
- c) Act wild or excited
- b) It smells terrible
- a) Look into something curiously or nosily
- b) You have no chance
Wrapping Up
Australian idioms are full of fun, colour, and character. They show how Aussies like to speak in a relaxed and funny way. From “mad as a cut snake” to “no worries,” these sayings help people share ideas with a bit of humour. Some of them might sound odd at first, but once you get used to them, they make talking more fun.
This list gives you a good start with 35 Aussie sayings. You might hear them in movies, TV shows, or if you visit Australia. And if you’re in the USA, it’s a great way to learn how English sounds a bit different in other places. G’day and good on ya for learning something new.
