off like a bride's nightie
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Making a rapid departure; away.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
Australian English
Examples
Just before it was to be his shout, he was off like a bride′s nightie.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Making a rapid departure; away. — Moving quickly and resolutely.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “off like a bride's nightie” mean?
Making a rapid departure; away.
Is “off like a bride's nightie” formal or informal?
off like a bride's nightie is generally slang.