off like a bride's nightie

adjective

Making a rapid departure; away.

“Just before it was to be his shout, he was off like a bride′s nightie.”

Similar
off like a prom dress
First used 1960.
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Meanings

adjectiveoff like a bride's nightie (not comparable)
  1. Australianot comparableslangsimileMaking a rapid departure; away.First known use 1960.

    Just before it was to be his shout, he was off like a bride′s nightie.

    3 more examples

    Missing because I′d been happy and didn′t need him, though I went to him fast enough when the happiness was over. Off like a bride′s nightie.

    1995, James Mitchell, So Far from Home, published 1997, page 216

    ‘[…]Tell me, are you still intending to join the armed forces?’ ‘Soon as ever I can, judge,’ Joe told him firmly, ‘I′ll be off like a bride′s nightie.’

    1998, Harry Bowling, As Time Goes By, unnumbered page

    ‘S′not that,’ she said, ‘It′s just if I give in so soon he′ll be off like a bride′s nightie. So I have to get it elsewhere, if you know what I mean.[…]’

    2004, Mina Ford, My Fake Wedding, page 154
    1. Australianot comparableslangsimilehobbiesMoving quickly and resolutely.

Synonyms & antonyms

Similar
off like a prom dress

Origin

A reference to the supposed eagerness of just-married couples to have sexual intercourse on the night of their wedding. Australian from 1960.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

off like a bride's nightie. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/off%20like%20a%20bride's%20nightie

MLA

“off like a bride's nightie.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/off%20like%20a%20bride's%20nightie. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “off like a bride's nightie,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/off%20like%20a%20bride's%20nightie.

Source: off like a bride's nightie on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.