Learn An Australian Phrase - Go On, Give It a Go Yer Mug!

Details: Written by: Vicki Sly; Category: Essentials; Published: 21 February 2011; Last Updated: 15 June 2011

Australian phrases can be unique and colourful but also quite confusing for visitors or newcomers to understand.

Even though English is the main language used in Australia, slang, Strine or lingo is found throughout the country and so tourists would do well to arm themselves with a few key phrases.

In this article I am going to stick to the more common general Aussie slang phrases that you may encounter in your travels. Each comes with the meaning and an example to give you some context of how the phrase may be used. Have fun and give-it-a-go-yer-mug!

Phrase: Av-a-go-yer-mug or give-it-a-go-yer-mug.
Meaning: Go on, have a go at it; you’re not trying hard enough or don’t be scared to give it a go.
Example: Go on. Av-a-go-yer-mug. If I can do it, so can you.

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Phrase: Bloody oath.
Meaning: Yes, it is true.
Example: Is it true Bill has left the company? Bloody oath it is.

Phrase: Bob's your uncle.
Meaning: If you do it like this or this way, it will be okay.
Example: Turn the switch to the right, push the button and Bob's your uncle.

Phrase: Chuck a sickie.
Meaning: Take a day off work due to illness (or perhaps to just go fishing).
Example: Gary’s not in today, he’s chucked a sickie.

Phrase: Chuck a U-e.
Meaning: Make a U-turn.
Example: You should chuck a U-e, the post office is back there.

Phrase: Come a gutser.
Meaning: Had an accident or fell off something.
Example: He come a gutser and broke his leg.

Phrase: Crack a tinnie.
Meaning: Open a can of cold beer.
Example: After work let’s crack a few tinnies.

Phrase: Dinky-di or fair dinkum.
Meaning: It is the truth or genuine.
Example: Ron is dinky-di about joining the team or Shane is a fair dinkum Aussie.

Phrase: Don't get your knickers in a knot/twist.
Meaning: Don't get so upset about it (a thing or a situation).
Example: Don't get your knickers in a knot, we’ll sort something out.

Phrase: Dunny in a desert.
Meaning: Something really sticks out or is very noticeable.
Example: You should have seen it; it stuck out like a dunny in a desert.

Phrase: Freo Doctor.
Meaning: The Fremantle Doctor (the cool afternoon breeze that arrives in Perth from the south-west or the direction of Fremantle.)
Example: The Freo Doctor’s in.

Phrase: Good on ya.
Meaning: Thanks for doing that.
Example: Good on ya for doing that, you didn’t have to.

Phrase: Hooley-dooley.
Meaning: Used as an expression of surprise about something.
Example: Hooley-dooley, that didn’t go to plan did it?

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Phrase: I'm knackered.
Meaning: I am exhausted or worn out.
Example: What a week at work! I'm absolutely knackered.

Phrase: Nick off or rack off.
Meaning: Please go away.
Example: Nick off you kids and go play outside.

Phrase: No worries mate.
Meaning: Don't worry about it, everything will be fine.
Example: No worries mate, just leave it with me and I’ll sort it out.

Phrase: This arvo.
Meaning: This afternoon.
Example: Why don’t you come around this arvo and we’ll fix it then.

Phrase: You little beauty or you little ripper.
Meaning: That’s fantastic.
Example: You little beauty, we won by 10 points.

Phrase: Your shout or my shout.
Meaning: It is your turn to buy the drinks or it’s my turn to buy the drinks.
Example: Sid, it's your shout. No, leave it with me, it’s my shout.

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