Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases: 150+ Hilarious Australian Expressions Explained

Australia is famous for its rugged landscapes, laid-back culture, and most importantly—its brilliant sense of humor. One of the most entertaining parts of Aussie culture is its colorful language. Funny Aussie old sayings and phrases are more than just slang—they’re little snapshots of Australian life, humor, and attitude, often packed with sarcasm, cheeky charm, and bush wisdom.

In this article, we’ll explore over 150 funny Aussie old sayings and phrases, breaking them into categories, explaining their meanings, and uncovering their cultural origins. You’ll laugh, learn, and maybe even adopt a few into your own vocabulary.

The Cultural Charm Behind Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases

Funny Aussie old sayings and phrases didn’t just appear out of nowhere—they evolved from Australia’s unique blend of British colonial roots, Indigenous influences, bush life, and pub culture.

Why Aussies Speak This Way

Australia’s isolated environment and harsh conditions gave birth to a culture that values:

• Mateship – Loyalty among friends, especially in tough times
  
• Humor under pressure – Laughing off hardships with sarcasm or wit
  
• Simplicity and directness – Saying things how they are… but in the weirdest way possible
  
• Self-deprecation – No one is safe from a cheeky dig, not even oneself
  

Aussie Humor in a Nutshell

Aussie Humor Style	Description	Example
Sarcastic	Saying the opposite of what you mean	“Oh yeah, that went well…” (after a disaster)
Dry/Deadpan	Saying something funny with a straight face	“Not bad, considering.”
Exaggerated	Making ordinary things sound extreme	“Hotter than the devil’s armpit!”
Playfully insulting	Teasing mates in good spirit	“You drongo!”

“If Aussies are laughing at you, it probably means they like you.” – Popular Aussie wisdom

Classic Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases About Everyday Life

These funny Aussie old sayings and phrases are perfect examples of how Australians tackle ordinary life with humor, casual sarcasm, and bush-born wisdom.

Saying	Meaning	When It’s Used
“She’ll be right.”	Everything will work out eventually.	When someone is stressed or overthinking.
“No worries, mate.”	It’s fine, don’t stress.	Reassuring someone.
“Flat out like a lizard drinking.”	Extremely busy.	When someone is working hard (or pretending to).
“Not my first rodeo.”	I’ve done this before, I know what I’m doing.	Showing experience.
“Carry on like a pork chop.”	Acting silly or making a fuss.	When someone is overreacting.
“On ya bike!”	Get lost or go away.	Used jokingly or in frustration.
“Good on ya.”	Well done or congratulations.	Praising someone casually.
“Have a go, ya mug!”	Put some effort in, don’t be useless.	Encouraging someone to try harder.
“Too easy.”	That’s simple or I can handle it.	Responding to a request.
“Fair dinkum.”	Seriously? / Are you telling the truth?	Expressing disbelief or honesty.

Usage Example Conversation

Person A: “I’ve got a mountain of work today.”
Person B: “Flat out like a lizard drinking then?”
Person A: “Yeah, but she’ll be right.”

Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases About People and Personalities

When it comes to describing people, funny Aussie old sayings and phrases pull no punches. These expressions are often cheeky, brutally honest, and full of personality—used to describe someone’s quirks, foolishness, or traits with humor rather than offense.

Saying	Meaning	Typical Usage
“He’s got kangaroos loose in the top paddock.”	Someone is a bit crazy or not thinking straight.	Describing odd behavior.
“A few snags short of a barbie.”	They’re not very smart.	Friendly insult among mates.
“She’s a bit of a dag.”	She’s uncool but in a lovable, quirky way.	Describing someone who is goofy but likeable.
“As useless as a screen door on a submarine.”	Completely ineffective or pointless.	Criticizing someone’s skills.
“Sharp as a bowling ball.”	Not very intelligent.	Humorously commenting on cluelessness.
“Full of yourself like a dog with two tails.”	Overly proud or excited.	When someone is showing off.
“Good bloke / top sheila.”	A genuinely nice man or woman.	Complimenting someone’s character.
“He couldn’t fight his way out of a paper bag.”	Someone is weak or non-confrontational.	Used teasingly.
“Mad as a cut snake.”	Completely crazy, in a wild way.	Someone acting irrationally.
“Tight as a fish’s backside.”	Extremely stingy.	Describing a cheap person.
“Happy as Larry.”	Very happy (though no one knows who Larry is).	General positivity.
“Built like a brick dunny.”	Very strong or muscular.	Usually describing a bulky person.
“Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”	Very nervous or anxious.	Used when someone is jumpy.
“All hat and no cattle.”	Full of talk, no action.	Calling out show-offs.
“Doesn’t know whether to scratch his watch or wind his backside.”	Completely confused or clueless.	Describing indecisiveness.

“Only in Australia can calling someone a ‘bloody legend’ be a compliment, and calling them a ‘drongo’ still be affectionate.”

Animal-Inspired Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases

Animals play a huge role in funny Aussie old sayings and phrases, especially those referencing native wildlife like kangaroos, emus, and galahs. These expressions often exaggerate behavior in a comical way that’s both vivid and unforgettable.

Saying	Meaning	Example Use
“Mad as a meat ant.”	Extremely angry or agitated.	“He got mad as a meat ant when he lost his keys.”
“Like a kangaroo on a trampoline.”	All over the place, energetic or chaotic.	When someone’s bouncing around.
“A galah.”	A silly person (galahs are loud and goofy birds).	“Stop being such a galah!”
“Like a stunned mullet.”	Looking confused or in shock.	After receiving surprising news.
“Busy as a one-armed bricklayer in Baghdad.”	Extremely busy.	When overwhelmed at work.
“You beauty, ya big koala hugger.”	Excited exclamation (friendly).	When someone achieves something.
“Like a dingo on a bone.”	Very determined or possessive.	Not giving up easily.
“As blind as a bat.”	Can’t see well or unaware.	Used jokingly about vision.
“Like a chook with its head cut off.”	Running around frantically without direction.	Referring to panic or chaos.
“As rare as hen’s teeth.”	Very rare (hens don’t have teeth).	Commenting on scarcity.
“As happy as a pig in mud.”	Extremely content.	Used for satisfaction.
“Looked like he swallowed a cane toad.”	Looking sick or disgusted.	Describing facial expressions.
“Got a roo loose.”	A shorter version of “not all there.”	Describing someone’s odd decisions.
“Sweating like a gypsy with a mortgage.”	Very sweaty or nervous.	After physical exertion.
“Going off like a frog in a sock.”	Wild, energetic, chaotic.	A wild party or excited person.

Fun fact: Aussie slang uses animals not just for humor, but to paint vivid mental images.

Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases About Weather and Nature

Australia’s extreme weather—scorching summers, sudden storms, endless droughts—has inspired a range of hilarious sayings that perfectly capture the outback experience.

Saying	Meaning	When It’s Used
“Hotter than a shearer’s armpit.”	Extremely hot.	Describing brutal Aussie summers.
“Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.”	Very cold.	Rare Aussie winter moments.
“Raining cats and dogs.”	Heavy rain.	Describing wild downpours.
“Dry as a dead dingo’s donger.”	Extremely dry or thirsty.	During droughts or need for a drink.
“Blowing a gale.”	Very windy.	Stormy weather.
“Stinks like a dead roo on the highway.”	Smells terrible.	Expressing disgust.
“Hot enough to fry an egg on the bonnet.”	Extremely hot.	Referring to metal heating in sun.
“Muggy as a wet sock.”	Very humid.	Coastal weather.
“Feels like walking in soup.”	Air is thick and humid.	Tropical heat.
“Sky’s about to chuck a tantrum.”	A storm is coming.	Observing storm clouds.

Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases About Luck, Failure & Tough Times

Life isn’t always sunshine and barbies, but Australians have a way of making even failures sound funny. These funny Aussie old sayings and phrases show how Aussies turn bad luck into a joke and failure into a punchline.

Saying	Meaning	Usage
“Couldn’t organize a piss-up in a brewery.”	Someone is hopelessly incompetent.	Used to mock someone’s poor planning.
“About as lucky as a roo on a highway at dusk.”	Very unlucky.	When everything is going wrong.
“If it wasn’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.”	Saying life always goes wrong humorously.	Self-deprecating humor.
“In more strife than Ned Kelly.”	In serious trouble (Ned Kelly was a famous outlaw).	When someone is caught or panicking.
“Going through a rough trot.”	Facing a tough time.	Casual, understated way to express hardship.
“Up the creek without a paddle.”	In trouble with no solution.	When facing a hopeless situation.
“Dropped the ball big time.”	Made a major mistake.	Used after an obvious failure.
“Got buckley’s chance.”	No chance of success (Buckley was a convict who escaped and survived against all odds).	Expressing extreme unlikelihood.
“Copped it sweet.”	Accepted consequences without complaining.	After accepting defeat.
“That went down like a lead balloon.”	Something failed miserably.	When a joke or plan flopped.
“That dog won’t hunt.”	An idea will never work.	Shutting down a bad plan.
“He’s cactus.”	He’s done/finished (cactus = useless or broken).	Referring to failure or death of an object/task.
“Blew it out of the water… in a bad way.”	Completely messed up.	After a disaster outcome.
“You’ve cooked your goose now.”	You’ve ruined your chances.	Warning after a fatal mistake.
“He’s gone walkabout.”	Someone disappeared or went missing (can imply mentally checked out too).	Used when someone is not present physically or mentally.

“Aussies don’t cry over failure—they mock it, laugh, and move on with a shrug and a beer.”

Pub, Drinking, and Mateship: Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases

Australian pub culture is a breeding ground for classic sayings. These funny Aussie old phrases are often used over a cold beer, usually among mates, and can range from celebratory to hilariously insulting.

Saying	Meaning	Example Scenario
“Full as a goog.”	Completely full (usually with food or alcohol).	After eating or drinking too much.
“Have a cold one, mate.”	Let’s drink and relax.	Friendly invitation.
“On the turps.”	Drinking alcohol.	“He’s been on the turps all night.”
“Sink a few tinnies.”	Drink several cans of beer.	Pre-party or get-together.
“Hit the frog and toad to the pub.”	Rhyming slang: road = toad.	Heading out for drinks.
“Blind as a welder’s dog.”	Extremely drunk.	When someone can barely stand.
“Legless.”	Too drunk to walk properly.	Referring to intoxication.
“Shout the next round.”	Pay for the next round of drinks.	A friendly duty among mates.
“Mateship over hardship.”	Friendship matters most.	Spoken in solidarity.
“Get on the sauce.”	Start drinking alcohol.	Encouraging someone to join in.
“Bend like a banana after a few.”	People get emotional or silly when drunk.	Drunken vulnerability.
“Drunker than a skunk.”	Extremely intoxicated.	Describing someone’s drunken state.
“Out for a piss-up.”	Going out drinking heavily.	Party night.
“Having a yarn over a schooner.”	Chatting casually while drinking beer.	Friendly conversation.
“Good on ya for buying the next shout.”	Praising someone for buying the next round.	Encouraging generosity.

In Australia, if a mate buys the first round, it’s practically law that you shout the next.

Work, Effort, and Struggle: Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases

Work may not be fun, but Aussies have created hilarious sayings to lighten the load and poke fun at laziness, overworking, or half-hearted efforts.

Saying	Meaning	When It’s Used
“Working hard, or hardly working?”	Sarcastic joke at someone pretending to be busy.	When someone appears idle.
“Flat out like a lizard drinking.”	Super busy.	Used when things are hectic.
“Pull your socks up.”	Start making more effort.	A motivational nudge.
“Doing bugger all.”	Doing almost nothing.	Describing laziness.
“Hard yakka.”	Difficult, physical work.	Referring to manual labor.
“All care, no responsibility.”	Doing things without being accountable.	Referring to poor work ethics.
“Carrying the team like a tradie’s lunchbox.”	Doing all the work while others contribute nothing.	Used in team settings.
“Bust your gut.”	Work extremely hard.	Overexertion.
“Just winging it.”	Doing something without preparation.	Admitting unpreparedness.
“Running around like a blue-arsed fly.”	Frantically busy.	Describing fast-paced stress.
“Give it a burl.”	Give it a try.	Encouraging someone to attempt something.
“He’s a bludger.”	Someone who avoids work entirely.	Referring to a lazy person.
“He’s cruisin’ for a bruisin’.”	Someone is behaving in a way that will cause problems.	Warning about consequences.
“That’ll do, pig.”	It’s good enough (origin from Babe movie, but widely used in Aussie humour).	Finishing a job.
“Punching the clock like it owes me money.”	Working intensely or reluctantly.	Used to add humor to work-related fatigue.

Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases About Being Broke or Rich (15+ Examples)

Money talk in Australia often comes with a side of humor. These funny Aussie old sayings and phrases make even being broke sound like an adventure.

Saying	Meaning	Example Usage
“As broke as a two-bob watch.”	Completely out of money.	“Can’t go out tonight, I’m as broke as a two-bob watch.”
“Skint as a snake.”	Completely penniless.	Used after payday expenses wipe everything.
“Not made of money, mate.”	I can’t afford it.	Response to expensive suggestions.
“Money doesn’t grow on gum trees.”	Funds are limited.	Warning against overspending.
“Loaded like a lorry.”	Very wealthy.	“That bloke’s loaded like a lorry, owns three houses.”
“He’s on the pig’s back.”	Doing well financially.	Used when someone hits success.
“Cost an arm and a leg.”	Extremely expensive.	Describing costly purchases.
“Tight as a fish’s backside.”	Very cheap or stingy.	Used to tease frugal people.
“Rolling in it.”	Very rich.	Referring to financial success.
“Couldn’t shout if a shark bit him.”	Too stingy to buy a round.	Calling someone cheap in a pub.
“Paying through the nose.”	Overpaying.	Used when costs are unfairly high.
“Gone bust.”	Lost everything financially.	Used after failed ventures.
“Money talks, but mine says ‘see ya’.”	My money disappears quickly.	Used humorously after spending.
“Living on the smell of an oily rag.”	Surviving on very little money.	Budgeting with minimal resources.
“It cost a bomb.”	It was very expensive.	Usually about big-ticket items.

“Aussies may be broke, but they’re rich in sarcasm.”

Insults and Teasing: Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases

Australian insults are often delivered with affection, especially between mates. These funny Aussie old sayings and phrases are cheeky, sometimes savage, but rarely meant to truly offend.

Saying	Meaning	When It’s Used
“You drongo.”	You idiot (playful).	Light teasing among friends.
“About as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike.”	Completely useless.	Describing someone’s poor skills.
“You’re a few sausages short of a barbie.”	Not very smart.	Friendly mockery.
“Got tickets on himself.”	Thinks too highly of himself.	Calling out arrogance.
“Pull your head in.”	Stop acting arrogant or foolish.	A warning to calm down.
“You’re a galah.”	You’re loud and silly.	Playful mocking.
“He’s a total wally.”	He’s a fool.	Mild insult.
“Acting like a pork chop.”	Acting ridiculous.	Used for childish behavior.
“He’s a proper dill.”	Someone who’s foolish or naive.	Mild insult.
“You’re a shocker.”	You’re unbelievable (often in a funny way).	Used for outrageous acts.
“Built like a brick outhouse.”	Strong but not necessarily smart.	Used jokingly for tough people.
“He’s punching above his weight.”	He’s dating someone out of his league.	Light-hearted teasing.
“Wouldn’t know a thing if it hit him in the face.”	Completely clueless.	Referencing someone’s ignorance.
“Thick as a wood plank.”	Very dumb.	Harsh, but used humorously.
“He’s not the full quid.”	Not mentally sharp.	Used casually, not literally.
“Talks out his backside.”	Talks nonsense.	When someone speaks without logic.
“You’ve got Buckley’s.”	You’ve got no chance.	Shutting down unrealistic expectations.
“Get off the grass.”	You’re talking nonsense.	Expression of disbelief.
“He’s a bogan.”	Rough, unsophisticated person.	Can be playful or insulting depending on tone.
“You clown!”	You fool.	When someone does something silly.

Australian insults are best delivered with a smirk, a laugh, and a cold drink.

Expressions of Surprise, Excitement & Emotions: Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases (12+ Examples)

These expressions show how Australians emotionally engage—whether surprised, excited, annoyed, or celebrating.

Saying	Meaning	Example Scenario
“Stone the crows!”	Expressing shock or surprise.	When hearing unexpected news.
“Crikey!”	Wow!/Oh my god!	Made famous by Steve Irwin.
“Bloody oath!”	Absolutely yes / Definitely.	Strong agreement.
“You little ripper!”	Great news!	Celebrating success.
“Fair go!”	Give me a chance / That’s unfair.	In response to injustice.
“Strewth!”	Expression of disbelief or surprise.	Old-school exclamation.
“I’m over the moon.”	Very happy.	Expressing joy.
“Gutted like a fish.”	Very disappointed.	After losing something important.
“I’m spewin’.”	I’m extremely upset or annoyed.	After a bad outcome.
“I’m chuffed to bits.”	Proud and happy.	After receiving praise.
“That’s ace!”	That’s excellent!	Simple expression of joy.
“I’m stoked.”	I’m excited or happy.	When something goes great.

From “Crikey!” to “You little ripper!”, Aussie emotions come with style.

Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases About Food & Drinks

Food and drink are at the heart of Aussie culture, and the language around them is just as tasty. These funny Aussie old sayings and phrases prove that mealtime is never boring in Australia.

Saying	Meaning	Example Usage
“That went down like a schooner on a hot day.”	Something was really enjoyable.	“That meal went down like a schooner on a hot day.”
“Throw another shrimp on the barbie.”	Invite someone to a BBQ (though Aussies actually say “prawn”).	Friendly invitation to grill outdoors.
“He’s a few lamingtons short of a picnic.”	Someone’s not very smart.	Gentle, humorous insult.
“As dry as a dead dingo’s donger.”	Very thirsty or parched.	Often said when someone needs a drink.
“Wouldn’t feed him to the dogs.”	Expression of dislike.	Talking about a disliked person.
“Drinks like a fish.”	Someone who drinks a lot of alcohol.	Teasing a heavy drinker.
“Cheaper than chips.”	Extremely inexpensive.	Talking about affordable food or deals.
“Full as a goog.”	Completely full after eating.	Post-meal comment.
“Cooked to buggery.”	Overcooked food.	Complaining about burnt or overdone meals.
“Good enough to eat off.”	Very clean.	Complimenting cleanliness of a surface.
“Knock up some tucker.”	Cook some food.	Bush-style phrasing.
“Smoko.”	Short break for tea, coffee, or a snack.	Common in workplaces.
“Brekkie.”	Breakfast.	Used daily: “What’s for brekkie?”
“Chockers.”	Full to the brim (of food or people).	“The pub’s chockers tonight.”
“Fair suck of the sav.”	Give me a fair go! (literally “take a fair suck of the sausage”)	Expressing frustration humorously.

“No one leaves an Aussie BBQ hungry — or without learning three new slang words.”

Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases with Rhyming and Wordplay

Australians love rhyming slang. Borrowed from Cockney English and twisted into something uniquely Aussie, these funny old sayings and phrases add rhythm and cheek to the language.

Saying	Actual Meaning	Rhyming Logic
“Have a Captain Cook.”	Take a look.	Rhymes with “look.”
“Hit the frog and toad.”	Hit the road.	Frog and toad = road.
“Use your loaf.”	Use your head.	Loaf of bread = head.
“Dog and bone.”	Phone.	“Give me a buzz on the dog and bone.”
“Apples and pears.”	Stairs.	“Up the apples and pears.”
“Dead horse.”	Tomato sauce.	“Pass the dead horse for the meat pie.”
“China plate.”	Mate.	“How ya going, my old China plate?”
“Trouble and strife.”	Wife.	Often used playfully.
“No dramas, llamas.”	Don’t worry about it.	Fun modern rhyming twist.
“Belly full of jelly.”	Laughing hard.	Describes laughter shaking the belly.
“Rack off, Jack.”	Go away.	Rhyming dismissal.
“Fair crack of the whip.”	Give someone a fair chance.	Figurative and rhyming.
“Sticks and stones.”	Words can’t hurt me.	Traditional saying, still popular.
“Blow it out your nose, Rose.”	A cheeky retort.	Meant as playful banter.
“Pop goes the weasel.”	Something’s finished or gone wrong.	Old-fashioned rhyme used humorously.

Rhyming slang adds musicality to everyday talk — and confuses tourists beautifully.

Rare and Old-School Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases You Don’t Hear Often

Some expressions have faded over time but still capture the Aussie wit of earlier generations. These old-school funny Aussie sayings and phrases offer a glimpse into the country’s linguistic past.

Saying	Meaning	Notes
“Built like a Malvern Star.”	Slim or wiry (refers to the bicycle brand).	Compliment for lean fitness.
“Up like a rat up a drainpipe.”	Extremely fast or eager.	Common in the 1950s–70s.
“Not within cooee.”	Not even close.	“Cooee” was a bushman’s call.
“Off like a bride’s nightie.”	Leaving very quickly.	Cheeky humor from old times.
“As flash as a rat with a gold tooth.”	Showy or trying too hard to impress.	Used for flamboyant personalities.
“Dry as a nun’s nasty.”	Very dry (weather or humor).	Vulgar but traditional saying.
“Up to your armpits in alligators.”	Overwhelmed by problems.	Still used in bush regions.
“Like a shag on a rock.”	Lonely or isolated.	A “shag” is a seabird.
“Stone the flamin’ crows.”	Expression of shock.	Very old-fashioned exclamation.
“Silly as a gumboot full of frogs.”	Very silly.	Whimsical bush saying.
“As busy as a centipede in a sock drawer.”	Extremely busy.	Vivid, comical imagery.
“Off like a bucket of prawns in the sun.”	Gone bad quickly.	Describing fast decline.
“More front than Myers.”	Very bold or confident (refers to the old Myer department store).	Melbourne-originated phrase.
“Fair shake of the sauce bottle.”	Give someone a fair chance.	Popularized by ex-PM Kevin Rudd.
“Carked it.”	Died or stopped working.	Common Aussie euphemism.
“Like a possum up a gum tree.”	Feeling smug or secure.	Used positively.
“Bloody oath, cobber.”	Absolutely right, friend.	Very old-fashioned but beloved.
“Pull the other one, it’s got bells on it.”	I don’t believe you.	Similar to “You’re kidding!”
“Fit as a Mallee bull.”	Extremely healthy and strong.	Outback-inspired compliment.
“Fair dinkum.”	Honest, genuine, true.	Still in use, but deeply old-school in origin.

“The older the saying, the thicker the Aussie accent when it’s spoken.”

Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases Used in Work and Daily Life

Work in Australia often comes with a heavy dose of banter, sarcasm, and iconic slang. These funny Aussie old sayings and phrases are frequently heard around job sites, offices, and everyday routines.

Saying	Meaning	Typical Usage
“Flat out like a lizard drinking.”	Extremely busy.	“Can’t chat, I’m flat out like a lizard drinking at work.”
“Doing bugger all.”	Doing nothing/lazy.	Used when someone is obviously slacking off.
“On the tools.”	Working physically, especially tradies.	“I’ve been on the tools all day.”
“Knocked off early.”	Finished work ahead of time.	Usually followed by a pub trip.
“Hard yakka.”	Hard work or physical labour.	“That was some hard yakka today.”
“Crack on with it.”	Get started or continue working.	Often said by a boss or foreman.
“Chuck a sickie.”	Pretend to be sick to skip work.	A very Aussie tradition.
“She’ll be right.”	It’ll be fine, no worries.	Used instead of stressing over issues.
“Pull your weight.”	Contribute fairly to work.	Common in group tasks.
“He’s gone walkabout.”	Disappeared or missing from work.	When someone can’t be found.
“Bloody hard slog.”	A very difficult task.	After a tiring work session.
“Get a wriggle on.”	Hurry up.	Used when someone is moving too slowly.
“Bit of a sticky wicket.”	A difficult or tricky situation.	Borrowed from cricket slang.
“Putting in the hard yards.”	Making a strong effort.	A compliment for solid work.
“Down tools.”	Stop working.	Often announced before going home or on strike.

Quote of the tradie world: “We work hard so we can knock off early and grab a cold one.”

Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases Featuring Animals and Nature

Australia’s wildlife is famous—and often deadly—so naturally, many funny Aussie old sayings and phrases involve animals, often in ridiculous comparisons.

Saying	Meaning	Example
“Mad as a cut snake.”	Completely crazy or reckless.	“That guy jumping off cliffs is mad as a cut snake.”
“Like a stunned mullet.”	Looking dazed or shocked.	Used when someone is frozen with surprise.
“Sweating like a pig in summer.”	Very sweaty.	Frequent during Aussie heatwaves.
“Grinning like a shot fox.”	Smiling slyly or smugly.	Used when someone gets their way.
“Busy as a bee.”	Very busy.	Positive description of hard work.
“As useless as a frog in a sock.”	Completely pointless or chaotic.	A chaotic situation or person.
“Happy as a clam at high tide.”	Very happy.	Feeling content and carefree.
“Like a roo in headlights.”	Frozen in fear or confusion.	An Aussie version of “deer in headlights.”
“He’s got kangaroos loose in the top paddock.”	He’s a bit crazy.	Mildly calling someone insane.
“Sly as a fox.”	Clever but sneaky.	Often used for cunning people.
“As crook as a dog.”	Very sick.	Typically used when down with illness.
“Mad as a meat ant.”	Hyper or agitated.	Often used for energetic kids.
“Like a shag on a rock.”	Lonely or isolated.	Feeling left out in a group.
“He’s got the memory of a goldfish.”	Very forgetful.	Used for people who forget easily.
“Like a bull in a china shop.”	Clumsy or destructive.	Describing rough or uncoordinated movements.

Only in Australia can being compared to a “cut snake” be a casual conversation starter.

Conclusion: Why Funny Aussie Old Sayings and Phrases Are True Cultural Treasures

Funny Aussie old sayings and phrases offer a brilliant window into the Australian mindset—relaxed, cheeky, lightly sarcastic, and full of dry humor. These expressions show a culture that doesn’t take itself too seriously, finds comedy in daily struggles, and values mateship over formality. Whether you’re “flat out like a lizard drinking” or “grinning like a shot fox,” these quirky sayings add color, attitude, and laughter to everyday conversations.

Understanding them not only helps you speak like a local but also gives you insight into the laid-back brilliance of Australian humor. If you’re planning to visit, live, or simply want to appreciate Aussie culture, mastering these sayings will make you feel right at home—and maybe even earn you a cheeky “good on ya.”

For more insights into Australian language and culture, resources like the Australian National Dictionary Centre provide deeper historical origins of phrases.