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do a Bradbury

(Australian) To triumph unexpectedly in a sporting event, especially due to luck or the misfortune of others.

ˈdu ə ˈbɹædˌbɛɹiDocumented since 2000s2000sGen Z128 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇦🇺 Australian & NZ slang
1 definition
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Born ~2002 · no dated citations yet
2002BornToday, 2026
Late-Millennial / Web 2.0 eraSee decade cohort →

Definitions

Australia
#1·Apr 27, 2026AUS

(Australian) To triumph unexpectedly in a sporting event, especially due to luck or the misfortune of others.

Origin: In reference to Australian speed skater Steven Bradbury, who won a gold medal in the 1,000m short-track speed skating event at the 2002 Winter Olympics after all his opponents in the lead were involved in a last corner pile-up. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

do a Bradbury means: To triumph unexpectedly in a sporting event, especially due to luck or the misfortune of others.. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. It is sporting vocabulary and harmless in itself. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

do a Bradbury means: To triumph unexpectedly in a sporting event, especially due to luck or the misfortune of others.. Register: informal, Australian English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

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For specific readers

do a Bradbury means: To triumph unexpectedly in a sporting event, especially due to luck or the misfortune of others.. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. It is sporting vocabulary and harmless in itself. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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Australia

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