Entry 1
A big ask
Meaning A favour which is a lot to ask of someone.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Tod had only just got home from his overnight flight when his boss told him to get back to the airport and fly to Sydney. That was a big ask.
Pronunciation
Idioms · 8 entries
Australian origin
What does "Australian origin" mean?
A favour which is a lot to ask of someone.
A big ask
Australia.
Amber nectar
Originally the USA but only becoming widely used following its use as an advertising slogan by Foster’s Lager, initially in Australia.
Beach bum
Australia, 1960s.
Frock up
Australia, 20th century.
Mates rates
Australian origin, 20th century.
Never-never land
Australia
Pommy bashing
Britain, late 20th century.
Shoot through
Australia, 1940s.
Entry 2
Amber nectar
Meaning A slang term for lager.
Usage Worldwide, but rarely by the over 60s.
Example
- I've been in the outback all day rounding up sheep and my throat's as dry as a pommies towel. I'm just about ready to sink a few tinnies of the amber nectar.
Pronunciation
Entry 3
Beach bum
Meaning Someone, usually a youngster, who spends all their time hanging out at the beach surfing and partying.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Shane Warne was well on his way the becoming a beach bum until he found his calling in sport. Now he's a cricketing legend.
Pronunciation
Entry 4
Frock up
Meaning Wear a smart or formal dress for a special occasion.
Usage Most common in Australia, but spreading worldwide
Example
- The boys all wore new suits for the formal and the girls frocked up.
Pronunciation
Entry 5
Mates rates
Meaning A discount price offered to friends.
Usage Worldwide, but most common down under.
Example
- I can't really afford to get the roof fixed but my pal Jim is a builder, maybe hell give me mates rates.
Pronunciation
Entry 6
Never-never land
Meaning A utopian dreamland.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Sonya says she's going to get a part in Jonny Depp's new movie. She needs to stop living in never-never land.
Pronunciation
Entry 7
Pommy bashing
Meaning Australian slang term for physical or verbal attacks on the English.
Usage Mostly Britain and Australia.
Example
- As Londoners, we never felt comfortable on our trip to Sydney. Every day we were subject to pommie bashing.
Pronunciation
Entry 8
Shoot through
Meaning To leave or abscond.
Usage Mostly Australia and New Zealand.
Example
- When we got up this morning Jeff had gone. He shot through without a word.
Pronunciation