Tóth Anita Tímea – GV8IBQ

A five page metaphor category project on an English speaking culture of your choice—British

English, Australian English, Canadian English, etc. (see American Metaphor Categories on

metaphorproject.org) you must identify at least three categories in the culture listing a

minimum of five metaphors related to each category with at least three sample sentences for

each.

Speakers in various languages use interesting, funny, or just weird metaphors to express

themselves. This can frequently result in people from different countries not understanding

each other. Each country has its own ideas and employs a variety of metaphors. In this paper,

I would like to show some metaphors that Australian speakers use and explain what they

mean.

Category 1 – Animals

1. Flat out like a lizard drinking.

Meaning: It means someone is working as hard and as fast as possible.

Examples:

- I am working flat out like a lizard drinking to get this project finished on time.

- I have been flat out like a lizard drinking at work for a while. I have little time for

myself.

- We came here flat out like a lizard drinking as we received the message.

2. A few Kangaroos loose in the top paddock

Meaning: It is used to describe someone’s mental states as crazy who is out of one’s

life by comparing them to having kangaroos loose on their farm. It also means that

someone who is daft, strange or looby.

 Examples:

- My brother is not the smartest boy in the family, he has got a few kangaroos loose

in the top paddock.

- How could you behave like that? You must have kangaroos loose in the top

paddock

- You must have a few kangaroos loose in the top paddock if you thinks you can

convince me to go on a date with you.

3. Like a bandicoot on a burnt ridge

Meaning: It means that someone is alone and isolated and lonely.

Examples:

- I arrived 1 hour earlier and I stood there like a bandicoot on a burnt ridge.

- She never talks to anyone and never goes anywhere, she is like a bandicoot on a

burnt ridge.

- I am like a bandicoot on a burnt ridge today. Nobody talks to me, and nobody call

me.

4. Lower than a snake’s belly

Meaning: It means that someone has a low moral standing. It is used if someone is an

unpleasant person with no morals and this person is compared to a snake who glides

across the floor. Than snake is as low as any animal can be, and this person is lower

than that.

Examples:

- I do not know how many times do I have to tell you that your child is lower than a

snake’s belly. He can't behave and talk properly. Says one neighbour to another.

- It is impossible for you to become a decent person at any time, you are lower than

a snake’s belly.
 - Wow—stealing your own sister's boyfriend. You are lower than a snake's belly!

5. Flaming galah

Meaning: This is used on a person who is a fool, and stupid, and is compared to a

galah.

Examples:

- Why did you put these boxes here, you flaming galah?

- Ah, I am a flaming galah, I forgot to write my homework.

- I do not want to watch TV with your sister, she is a flaming galah.

6. As mad as a cut snake

Meaning: It means that someone is very angry or crazy.

Examples:

- My mum was mad as a cut snake after she found out that I did not clean my room.

- He made me mad as a cut snake with the way he talked to me.

- I must be careful of the boss today, he is as mad as a cut snake.

7. Like a rat up a drainpipe

Meaning: To move very quickly.

Examples:

- He is swimming like a rat up a drainpipe.

- My granny, whenever she hears the phone ring, is rushing like a rat up a drainpipe.

- I got scared and I ran away lik a rat up a drainpipe.

Category 2 – Body

1. Bloody oath
 Meaning: It is used in a situation when someone is agree with the other or express

their truth with this answer. It means “that is true”.

Examples:

- Did Anna drink that whole battle of wine? – Bloody oath, she did.

- Bloody oath, mum, this spaghetti is delicious.

- It is a hot day, isn’t it? – Yes, bloody oath.

2. Pull the wool over your eyes

Meaning: It means that someone wants or tries to deceive, cheat or trick someone or

hide the truth from somebody.

Examples:

- You can’t pull the wool over mum’s eyes. She knows you.

- I’m not as dumb as you think; don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes.

- I was too clever to let them pull the wool over my eyes.

3. Pull one’s head in

Meaning: It is used in an annoyed situation when you want somebody to shut up and

do their own business and not to deal with you.

Examples:

- I have listened to you just enough, so know you should pull your head in and leave

me alone.

- Pull your head in. I can do it alone.

- I wish my mum would pull her head in and stop asking about the school.

4. A face like a dropped pie

Meaning: It is used if someone has an unattractive face. When we drop a pie it makes

a mess and this person’s face is like this mess.

Examples:
 - I would never date him, he has a face like a dropped pie. I would like a handsome

boy.

- Did you see how ugly that girl was? She had a face like a dropped pie. – Do not

say that, you should not hurt anyone.

- A girl with a face like a dropped pie will never get married.

Category 3 - Food

1. She’ll be apples

Meaning: It means that ‘It will be alright’. It implies an optimistic thinking. Whatever

is wrong will be okay.

Examples:

- Do not worry about the project. She’ll be apples, you have worked so hard.

- I do not understand why he treats me like this, like he does not love my anymore. –

Listen, he has a lot of things to do. She’ll be apples, just be a little more patient.

- Don't worry, kids often smash themselves. It's just a little injury to his knee. I am

sure she’ll be apples.

2. Dog's breakfast

Meaning: It means messy. It is mostly used by parents to describe their kids looks or

life.

Examples:

- Ah, our flat is like a dog’s breakfast. I did not have time to clean up.

- I am just feeding the baby. His face is like a dog’s breakfast, not to talk about the

table and the chair. That's cute, but I am the one who will have to clean it up.

- My bag is like a dog’s breakfast. There’s too much in it that’s not organized, so I

never find anything.

3. Better than a ham sandwich.

 Meaning: It means to have something that is better than nothing.

Examples:

- Well, this is not my best paper, but at least better than a ham sandwich.

- I was not expecting this gift but it is better than a ham sandwich.

- Is the pullover I gave you good? I do not want you to get cold in the evening. –

Well, it is a little big for me but it is better than a ham sandwich.

4. Drink with the flies

Meaning: It means to drink alone in a pub. The person who is drinking with the flies is

lonely and has no other companion than the flies.

Examples:

- Yesterday I was at the bar and drinking with the flies. It was so depressing.

- Don’t you dare leave me here alone and drink with the flies again.

- Look at that boy drinking with the flies. He seems very lonely.

5. Fair shake of the sauce bottle

Meaning: It means to give it a go, try give a chance and try something. It can also have

a meaning like an equal opportunity, a fair chance.

Examples:

- Just give me a fair shake of the sauce bottle and I will do anything you want.

- Yes, the teacher failed me but I don’t think she gave me the fair shake of the sauce

battle.

- Give yourself a fair shake of the sauce battle. I believe in you, so you can do it.

Sources:

 https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/australia/articles/18-australian-sayings-that-make-

no-sense-to-other-english-speakers/
 https://www.theintrepidguide.com/hilarious-australian-slang/

 https://www.lalingua.com/post/the-25-most-common-australian-slang-words

 https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/australian-slang-phrases/index.html

 https://www.abc.net.au/education/learn-english/the-use-of-similes-in-australian-

english/11873896