Australian idioms are fun and playful expressions people use every day in Australia. They may sound silly at first, but they have special meanings that make conversations more exciting. These idioms often come from animals, food, hard work, and daily life. Letās explore some popular Australian idioms in a simple and kid-friendly way!
ā 1. Aussie Animal Idioms
Australian animals inspire many funny and colorful sayings.
1. As happy as a clam
Meaning: Feeling very happy.
He was as happy as a clam after winning the game.
She felt as happy as a clam at the party.
2. Kangaroos loose in the top paddock
Meaning: Acting silly or strange.
He was being silly, like kangaroos loose in the top paddock.
She laughed at his strange behavior.
3. Mad as a cut snake
Meaning: Very angry.
He was mad as a cut snake when he lost his toy.
She felt extremely angry for a moment.
4. Like a stunned mullet
Meaning: Looking very surprised or confused.
He stood like a stunned mullet when his name was called.
She froze like a stunned mullet.
5. Busy as a bee
Meaning: Very busy.
Mom was busy as a bee cleaning the house.
The kids were busy as bees before school.
6. Go walkabout
Meaning: Wander off.
Our dog went walkabout in the park.
He wandered away to explore.
7. Slow as a wet week
Meaning: Very slow.
That lesson felt slow as a wet week.
The line moved very slowly.
8. Happy little vegemite
Meaning: A cheerful person.
Sheās a happy little vegemite at school.
He smiled all day.
9. Dogās breakfast
Meaning: A big mess.
My room was a dogās breakfast.
The table looked very messy.
10. Herding cats
Meaning: Hard to control people.
Getting everyone ready felt like herding cats.
The group was hard to organize.
ā 2. Everyday Australian Idioms
These idioms are commonly heard in daily Aussie conversations.
1. No worries
Meaning: Everything is okay.
āThanks!ā ā āNo worries!ā
It means you donāt need to stress.
2. Good on ya
Meaning: Well done!
You finished earlyāgood on ya!
The teacher praised her effort.
3. Fair dinkum
Meaning: True or real.
Is that story fair dinkum?
He told a true story.
4. Having a yarn
Meaning: Chatting or talking.
They sat outside having a yarn.
Friends talked happily.
5. Hard yakka
Meaning: Hard work.
Cleaning the yard was hard yakka.
He worked very hard.
6. Back of beyond
Meaning: Very far away.
They lived in the back of beyond.
The place was far from town.
7. Pull your head in
Meaning: Calm down or stop.
Pull your head in and listen.
He needed to calm down.
8. On a good wicket
Meaning: Doing well.
Sheās on a good wicket at school.
Her work is going well.
9. Chuck a sickie
Meaning: Pretend to be sick.
He joked about chucking a sickie.
It means skipping work or school.
10. Give it a burl
Meaning: Try something.
Give the puzzle a burl!
She tried something new.
ā 3. Food & Fun Australian Idioms
Food idioms make Aussie English extra tasty!
1. Bring a plate
Meaning: Bring food to share.
Mom said to bring a plate to the party.
Everyone shared snacks.
2. Not my cup of tea
Meaning: Something you donāt like.
Loud music is not my cup of tea.
She prefers quiet games.
3. Full as a goog
Meaning: Very full.
Iām full as a goog after lunch.
He ate too much!
4. Flat out like a pancake
Meaning: Very tired.
I was flat out like a pancake after sports.
She rested on the couch.
5. Easy as vegemite on toast
Meaning: Very easy.
The math quiz was easy as vegemite on toast.
She finished quickly.
6. Chew the fat
Meaning: Chat casually.
We chewed the fat at lunchtime.
Friends talked happily.
7. Sweet as
Meaning: Really good.
Your drawing looks sweet as!
It means excellent.
8. Sausage roll problem
Meaning: Simple problem.
That task was a sausage roll problem.
Very easy to fix.
9. Hot potato
Meaning: Tricky problem.
That question was a hot potato.
No one wanted to answer.
10. Milk run
Meaning: Easy task.
The errand was a milk run.
It didnāt take long.
ā 4. Time & Action Aussie Idioms
These idioms talk about time, effort, and action.
1. In a tick
Meaning: Very soon.
Iāll help you in a tick.
Just a short wait.
2. At the crack of dawn
Meaning: Very early.
We woke up at the crack of dawn.
The sun wasnāt up yet.
3. Flat out
Meaning: Extremely busy.
She was flat out with homework.
He had no free time.
4. Not here to muck around
Meaning: Serious about something.
Heās not here to muck around.
He wants to do well.
5. All day, every day
Meaning: All the time.
He talks about dinosaurs all day, every day.
It means very often.
6. Time on your hands
Meaning: Free time.
She had time on her hands after school.
Nothing planned.
7. In the nick of time
Meaning: Just in time.
They arrived in the nick of time.
Almost late!
8. Day in, day out
Meaning: Every single day.
She practices piano day in, day out.
She never skips.
9. Run out of steam
Meaning: Get tired.
He ran out of steam during practice.
He needed a break.
10. Give it a miss
Meaning: Skip something.
Iāll give it a miss today.
He decided not to join.
ā 5. Aussie Slang Idioms
Australian slang makes conversations sound friendly and relaxed.
1. Arvo
Meaning: Afternoon.
Letās meet this arvo after school.
The arvo is a great time to play.
2. Brekkie
Meaning: Breakfast.
I ate eggs for brekkie.
Brekkie helps you start the day.
3. Barbie
Meaning: Barbecue.
Weāre having a barbie on Sunday.
Friends came over for the barbie.
4. Mozzie
Meaning: Mosquito.
A mozzie bit my arm.
Mozzies buzz at night.
5. Sunnies
Meaning: Sunglasses.
Donāt forget your sunnies outside.
Sunnies protect your eyes.
6. Thongs
Meaning: Flip-flops.
She wore thongs at the beach.
Thongs are comfy shoes.
7. Footy
Meaning: Football.
He loves watching footy.
We played footy after school.
8. Brolly
Meaning: Umbrella.
Grab a brollyāitās raining.
The brolly kept us dry.
9. Servo
Meaning: Gas station.
We stopped at the servo.
They bought snacks at the servo.
10. Lollies
Meaning: Candy.
She shared her lollies.
Kids love sweet lollies.
ā 6. Work & Effort Idioms
These idioms talk about trying hard and working well.
1. Hard yakka
Meaning: Hard work.
Cleaning was hard yakka.
Homework can be hard yakka.
2. Pull your finger out
Meaning: Work faster.
Pull your finger outāweāre late!
He worked quicker.
3. Do a runner
Meaning: Leave quickly.
The cat did a runner.
He left in a hurry.
4. Give it a crack
Meaning: Try your best.
Give it a crack on the test.
She tried confidently.
5. On the tools
Meaning: Working.
Dad was on the tools today.
He worked hard all morning.
6. Make a good fist of it
Meaning: Do fairly well.
He made a good fist of the puzzle.
She did pretty well.
7. Up to scratch
Meaning: Good enough.
Your work is up to scratch.
Everything looked fine.
8. Flat chat
Meaning: Very busy.
School was flat chat today.
Everyone rushed around.
9. Get stuck into
Meaning: Start eagerly.
We got stuck into the project.
They began with excitement.
10. All hands on deck
Meaning: Everyone helps.
It was all hands on deck.
Everyone joined in.
ā 7. Friends & Feelings Idioms
These idioms describe emotions and friendships.
1. Over the moon
Meaning: Very happy.
She was over the moon.
Good news made her smile.
2. Feeling crook
Meaning: Feeling sick.
He felt crook today.
So he stayed home.
3. In good nick
Meaning: In good shape.
The bike is in good nick.
It works well.
4. Blow your top
Meaning: Get mad.
He blew his top briefly.
Then he calmed down.
5. Have a whinge
Meaning: Complain.
She had a whinge about homework.
Then she finished it.
6. Chuffed
Meaning: Pleased.
He felt chuffed with his score.
She smiled proudly.
7. Keep your shirt on
Meaning: Stay calm.
Keep your shirt on!
No need to rush.
8. Fed up
Meaning: Annoyed.
She felt fed up waiting.
The delay bothered her.
9. Have a laugh
Meaning: Joke.
He said it for a laugh.
Everyone giggled.
10. Thick as thieves
Meaning: Very close friends.
Theyāre thick as thieves.
Always together.
ā 8. School & Learning Idioms
Perfect for kids and classrooms.
1. Hit the books
Meaning: Start studying.
I need to hit the books.
The test is tomorrow.
2. Sharp as a tack
Meaning: Very smart.
Sheās sharp as a tack.
Quick thinking helps.
3. Pass with flying colours
Meaning: Do very well.
He passed with flying colours.
Great results!
4. Under the pump
Meaning: Under pressure.
She was under the pump.
Time was short.
5. Give it a miss
Meaning: Skip it.
Iāll give it a miss today.
He didnāt join.
6. By the book
Meaning: Follow rules.
Do it by the book.
Rules matter.
7. Learn the ropes
Meaning: Learn basics.
Sheās learning the ropes.
New things take time.
8. Pencil it in
Meaning: Plan loosely.
Pencil it in for Friday.
Plans might change.
9. On the ball
Meaning: Alert and ready.
He stayed on the ball.
She noticed quickly.
10. Raise your game
Meaning: Improve effort.
He raised his game.
His grades improved.
ā 9. Travel & Adventure Idioms
Australia-loving adventure sayings.
1. Hit the road
Meaning: Start a trip.
We hit the road early.
Bags were packed.
2. Off the beaten track
Meaning: Unusual place.
They explored off the beaten track.
It was quiet.
3. On the trot
Meaning: Busy going places.
We were on the trot all day.
No rest!
4. Make tracks
Meaning: Leave.
Letās make tracks.
Itās getting late.
5. Long haul
Meaning: Long trip.
The flight was a long haul.
Everyone was tired.
6. Stopover
Meaning: Short stay.
We had a stopover.
Then continued.
7. Go bush
Meaning: Explore nature.
They went bush camping.
Trees everywhere!
8. Roughing it
Meaning: No comfort.
Camping means roughing it.
Still fun!
9. Under canvas
Meaning: In a tent.
We slept under canvas.
Stars above.
10. Travel light
Meaning: Pack little.
Travel light to move easily.
No heavy bags.
ā 10. Sports & Play Idioms
Sports-loving Aussie expressions.
1. Level playing field
Meaning: Fair chance.
Everyone had a level playing field.
Same rules.
2. Hit for six
Meaning: Big surprise.
That news hit me for six.
I didnāt expect it.
3. On your game
Meaning: Doing well.
Sheās on her game today.
Great focus.
4. Give it a burl
Meaning: Try something.
Give cricket a burl.
Itās fun to try.
5. Throw your hat in
Meaning: Join in.
He threw his hat in.
Now heās playing.
6. Take a breather
Meaning: Rest.
Letās take a breather.
Everyone sat down.
7. Offside
Meaning: Not allowed.
That move was offside.
Rule broken.
8. Jump the gun
Meaning: Start early.
He jumped the gun.
Oops!
9. Game plan
Meaning: Strategy.
Our game plan worked.
We won!
10. Give it a go
Meaning: Try.
Give it a go!
You might like it.
ā 11. Family & Home Idioms
Used around the house.
1. Flat out
Meaning: Very busy.
Mum was flat out cooking.
No breaks.
2. Drop by
Meaning: Visit briefly.
Aunt will drop by.
Just a short visit.
3. Tidy up
Meaning: Clean.
Time to tidy up.
Room looks better.
4. Settle down
Meaning: Calm.
Settle down, kids.
Quiet time.
5. Run the show
Meaning: Be in charge.
Dad runs the show.
Rules decided.
6. Feel at home
Meaning: Comfortable.
Make yourself at home.
Relax.
7. Chip in
Meaning: Help.
Everyone chipped in.
Chores finished fast.
8. Put your feet up
Meaning: Rest.
Put your feet up.
Relax now.
9. Full house
Meaning: Many people.
Itās a full house tonight.
Lots of guests.
10. Call it quits
Meaning: Stop.
We called it quits.
Game over.
ā 12. Weather & Nature Idioms
Based on Australiaās outdoors.
1. Dry as a bone
Meaning: Very dry.
The ground was dry as a bone.
No rain.
2. Bucketing down
Meaning: Heavy rain.
Itās bucketing down!
Stay inside.
3. Blowing a gale
Meaning: Windy.
Winds were blowing a gale.
Hats flew!
4. Scorching hot
Meaning: Very hot.
Today is scorching hot.
Drink water.
5. Clear as mud
Meaning: Confusing.
That explanation was clear as mud.
I didnāt get it.
6. Under the weather
Meaning: Sick.
He felt under the weather.
So he rested.
7. On thin ice
Meaning: In trouble.
Heās on thin ice.
One more mistake!
8. Fair weather friend
Meaning: Only around when fun.
Heās a fair weather friend.
Not reliable.
9. Come rain or shine
Meaning: No matter what.
Weāll play rain or shine.
Always!
10. Storm brewing
Meaning: Trouble coming.
Thereās a storm brewing.
Be careful.
ā 13. Money & Value Idioms
Simple money ideas.
1. Tighten your belt
Meaning: Save money.
We must tighten our belt.
No extras.
2. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive.
That toy cost a lot.
Too pricey!
3. Good value
Meaning: Worth it.
That book is good value.
Lots to read.
4. Splash out
Meaning: Spend a lot.
We splashed out on treats.
Special day.
5. Penny-pincher
Meaning: Saves money.
Heās a penny-pincher.
Very careful.
6. Fork out
Meaning: Pay.
Dad had to fork out.
Bills again.
7. Broke
Meaning: No money.
Iām broke this week.
No snacks.
8. Bargain
Meaning: Cheap deal.
What a bargain!
Very affordable.
9. Rainy day
Meaning: Save for later.
Save for a rainy day.
Just in case.
10. Pay your way
Meaning: Cover your share.
Everyone paid their way.
Fair deal.
ā 14. Talking & Communication Idioms
How Aussies chat.
1. Speak your mind
Meaning: Be honest.
Speak your mind politely.
Say thoughts.
2. Word of mouth
Meaning: Told by people.
News spread by word of mouth.
No internet needed.
3. Pipe down
Meaning: Be quiet.
Pipe down, please.
Too loud.
4. Spin a yarn
Meaning: Tell a story.
Grandpa spun a yarn.
Funny tale.
5. Straight shooter
Meaning: Honest speaker.
Sheās a straight shooter.
No lies.
6. Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoid topic.
Stop beating around the bush.
Just say it.
7. Have the last word
Meaning: Final say.
Mum had the last word.
Decision made.
8. Tongue-tied
Meaning: Canāt speak.
He felt tongue-tied.
Shy moment.
9. Talk shop
Meaning: Talk work.
They talked shop.
Work chat only.
10. Loud and clear
Meaning: Easy to understand.
Message was loud and clear.
Got it!
ā 15. Ending & Decision Idioms
Finishing and choosing.
1. Thatās the go
Meaning: Good plan.
Thatās the go!
Letās do it.
2. Call it a day
Meaning: Stop working.
Weāll call it a day.
Enough done.
3. Make up your mind
Meaning: Decide.
Make up your mind soon.
Timeās up.
4. End of the road
Meaning: Finished.
Thatās the end of the road.
No more.
5. Draw the line
Meaning: Set limit.
Draw the line here.
Enough.
6. Final say
Meaning: Last decision.
Teacher had final say.
Rules followed.
7. Set in stone
Meaning: Cannot change.
Plans arenāt set in stone.
Still flexible.
8. Weigh it up
Meaning: Think carefully.
Weigh it up first.
Choose wisely.
9. Seal the deal
Meaning: Finish agreement.
They sealed the deal.
Done!
10. Stick with it
Meaning: Continue.
Stick with itāyouāre close!
Donāt quit.
ā Conclusion
Australian idioms are fun, friendly expressions that make English more exciting and colorful. Learning them helps kids understand Australian culture better and enjoy speaking with confidence every day.
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