Australia Proverbs (50)

Traditional proverbs of Australia in en and English — each with its meaning and source.

A fair go

“A fair go for all.”

Everyone deserves an equal opportunity and to be treated justly, regardless of background.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian saying, public-domain oral tradition (widely cited as a core national value)

She'll be right, mate

“She'll be right, mate.”

Reassurance that things will work out fine and there is no need to worry.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquial saying, public-domain oral tradition

Fair dinkum

“Fair dinkum.”

Something is genuine, honest and true — the real thing.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Buckley's chance

“He hasn't got Buckley's chance.”

There is little or no chance of something happening or succeeding.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian saying, public-domain oral tradition

Flat out like a lizard drinking

“Flat out like a lizard drinking.”

Extremely busy or working as fast as one possibly can.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Give it a burl

“Give it a burl.”

Have a go and try something, even if success is uncertain.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

No worries

“No worries.”

It is fine, no problem, and nothing to be concerned about.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Don't come the raw prawn

“Don't come the raw prawn with me.”

Don't try to deceive me or take me for a fool.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Dry as a dead dingo's donga

“Dry as a dead dingo's donga.”

Extremely dry or, of a person, very thirsty.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Bring a plate

“Bring a plate.”

When invited to a gathering, bring a dish of food to share with everyone.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian social custom/saying, public-domain oral tradition

Mad as a cut snake

“He went mad as a cut snake when he found out.”

Extremely angry, agitated, or behaving erratically.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Up a gum tree

“Without the car keys, we're up a gum tree.”

In a difficult or awkward situation with no easy way out.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Not the full quid

“Ignore him, he's not the full quid.”

Someone regarded as not particularly sharp or sensible.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

She's apples

“Don't worry about the mess, she's apples.”

Everything is fine and under control.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Built like a brick dunny

“The prop forward is built like a brick dunny.”

Describes someone with a solid, sturdy, powerful build.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

It's cactus

“The old washing machine finally died — it's cactus.”

Something is broken, ruined, or beyond repair.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Do your block

“Dad did his block when he saw the dented car.”

To lose your temper suddenly and become very angry.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Don't be a drongo

“Don't be a drongo, read the instructions first.”

A gentle scolding not to act foolishly or carelessly.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Full as a goog

“After Christmas lunch I was full as a goog.”

Extremely full after eating a large meal.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Get a wriggle on

“Get a wriggle on, we're going to be late.”

Hurry up and move faster.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Hard yakka

“Clearing that paddock by hand was hard yakka.”

Tough, demanding physical labour.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Have a Captain Cook

“Have a Captain Cook at this before you buy it.”

Take a quick look at something (rhyming slang for "look").

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian rhyming slang, public-domain oral tradition

Home and hosed

“With the contract signed, the deal is home and hosed.”

Something is safely and successfully completed.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Spewing

“I missed the last train — I'm absolutely spewing.”

Extremely upset, angry, or disappointed about something.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Knock off

“It's five o'clock, let's knock off for the day.”

To stop work and finish for the day.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Mate's rates

“The mechanic fixed it for mate's rates.”

A discounted price given as a favour to a friend.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Ridgy-didge

“This antique clock is the ridgy-didge article.”

Genuine, authentic, and the real thing.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

She's a goer

“The new business took off fast — she's a goer.”

Something is going well and shows strong promise.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Spit the dummy

“He spat the dummy when the umpire made the call.”

To lose one's temper and throw a tantrum.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Stone the crows

“Stone the crows, I can't believe we won!”

An exclamation of surprise or astonishment.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian exclamation, public-domain oral tradition

Strewth

“Strewth, that storm came out of nowhere!”

An exclamation expressing surprise, shock, or disbelief.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian exclamation, public-domain oral tradition

Sweet as

“No problem, we can meet Tuesday — sweet as.”

Excellent, fine, or entirely agreeable.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Tall poppy syndrome

“Success brings tall poppy syndrome — people love cutting you down.”

The tendency to criticise or resent people who become successful or prominent.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian saying, public-domain oral tradition

The whole box and dice

“We ordered the whole box and dice for the party.”

Everything included, the complete set with nothing left out.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Two-bob watch

“He's about as reliable as a two-bob watch.”

Describes someone or something unpredictable and unreliable.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Wouldn't be dead for quids

“Sitting on this beach, I wouldn't be dead for quids.”

Expresses being extremely happy and content with one's life.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian saying, public-domain oral tradition

You beauty!

“You beauty! We finally got the loan approved.”

An exclamation of delight and excitement at good news.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian exclamation, public-domain oral tradition

Dob in

“In the schoolyard, you never dob in a mate.”

To inform on or report someone, generally frowned upon among friends.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Feeling crook

“I'm feeling a bit crook today, must be the flu.”

Feeling unwell or sick.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Good on ya

“You finished the marathon — good on ya!”

An expression of praise and approval for someone's effort or achievement.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Mad as a meat axe

“That old bull is mad as a meat axe.”

Completely crazy, unpredictable, or eccentric.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Beyond the black stump

“The old station is out beyond the black stump.”

In a very remote or far-off part of the outback.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Pull your head in

“Pull your head in, mate, that's none of your business.”

A blunt instruction to mind one's own business or stop misbehaving.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Too right

“Is it hot out there? Too right it is.”

An emphatic expression of strong agreement.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

True blue

“He's a true blue Aussie through and through.”

Genuinely loyal and authentically representative of Australian character.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian saying, public-domain oral tradition

Under the pump

“The whole kitchen was under the pump during the dinner rush.”

Under a great deal of pressure or stress.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

You little ripper!

“You little ripper, we won the raffle!”

An enthusiastic exclamation of delight at good fortune.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian exclamation, public-domain oral tradition

Chuck a U-ey

“Missed the turn — chuck a U-ey at the lights.”

To make a U-turn while driving.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian colloquialism, public-domain oral tradition

Flat chat

“The whole team was going flat chat to meet the deadline.”

Working or moving at full speed and maximum effort.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom, public-domain oral tradition

Rattle your dags

“Rattle your dags, the bus leaves in five minutes.”

Hurry up and get moving without delay.

Traditional Australia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Australian idiom (sheep-shearing origin), public-domain oral tradition