Australian Sayings That Make No Sense To Other English Speakers

Although Australians do speak English, their true blue Aussie lingo often leaves other English speakers perplexed. From seemingly unfinished sentences to backhanded compliments and friendly insults, locals often exercise ridiculous phrases to convey simply meanings. These are 18 expressions you’ll hear down under. Did you know you can now travel with Culture Trip? Book now and join one of our premium small-group tours to discover the world like never before.

Have a good one

Translation: Have a nice day.

Meaning: Often used in place of ‘goodbye,’ the phrase is a pleasant send off.

Flat out like a lizard drinking

Meaning: To be hard at work, just like a lizard who physically lies out flat in order to drink water which is done quickly and is a main source of activity during the day.

Chuck a U-ey

Translation: Make a U turn.

Meaning: To perform the U turn driving manoeuvre or to turn around in any manner of movement.

Fair shake of the sauce bottle

Translation: To give it a fair go,

Meaning: To give something a chance or a try. Used excessively by ex-Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during an interview in 2009.

Bloody oath

Translation: That’s certainly true.

Meaning: Used to declare honesty and convey your approval when you agree with what has been said.

As crook as Rookwood

Translation: Chronically ill.

Meaning: To describe someone who is very unwell by making reference to Rookwood cemetery, the largest necropolis in the Southern Hemisphere.

A few roos loose in the top paddock

Translation: Intellectually incompetent.

Meaning: To describe someone’s mental state as deranged and out-of-their-mind crazy by comparing them to having kangaroos loose on your farm.

Can’t be bothered

Translation: I’m not in the mood to do that.

Meaning: When you don’t feel like doing something because you’re tired, lazy or it’s not of importance to you.

Like a bandicoot on a burnt ridge

Translation: To be alone.

Meaning: To describe someone who is isolated and lonely.

She’ll be apples

Translation: It will be alright.

Meaning: A play on the phrase ‘she’ll be right,’ which means that whatever is wrong will soon be okay. The subject ‘she’ represents everything and the user of the phrase can be seen as optimistic or apathetic.

Lower than a snake’s belly

Translation: To have a low moral standing.

Meaning: To describe someone an unpleasant person with no morals by comparing those to a snake who glides across the floor and is as low as any animal can get.

No worries

Translation: Sure thing, you’re welcome.

Meaning: Very commonly used, the phrase is similar to no problem and is a friendly way to say ‘that’s all right,’ or ‘you’re welcome.’

You little ripper

Translation: That’s wonderful.

Meaning: An exclamation to express delight or pride in someone.

Fit as a Mallee bull

Translation: To be in excellent physical condition.

Meaning: To be as fit and as strong as the bulls in the Mallee, which is a beef production region with harsh environments that demand the cattle be tough and in top form.

A face like a dropped pie

Translation: To have an unattractive face.

Meaning: An insult to describe someone whose face looks like the mess made when a pie is dropped.

May your chooks turn into emus and kick your dunny down

Translation: I hope your chickens turn into emus and kick the toilet down.

Meaning: Used when you want to wish someone bad luck.

Flaming galah

Translation: What a fool.

Meaning: Used to insult someone who is stupid by comparing them to a galah (rose-breasted cockatoo). The term is used by the character Alf Stewart on Home and Away.

My shout

Translation: It’s my turn to pay.

Meaning: To buy something for someone and get the bill, commonly used to convey that you will purchase the round of drinks.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.