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.
do a Bradbury
(Australian) To triumph unexpectedly in a sporting event, especially due to luck or the misfortune of others.
Etymology timeline
Born ~2002 · no dated citations yetDefinitions
(Australian) To triumph unexpectedly in a sporting event, especially due to luck or the misfortune of others.
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.
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.
Comments
For specific readers
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.
Used in
Have a better definition?
Add your own interpretation of "do a Bradbury".
🇦🇺About Australian & NZ slang slang
Aussie and Kiwi vocabulary — bogan, daggy, brekkie, sheila, bach, jandals — the whole Antipodean lexicon, including outback dialect, surf and beach culture, and Sydney/Melbourne street slang.
See all Australian & NZ slang slang on Slangora.
Tags
Other words near "do a Bradbury" (D)
Browse all slang words starting with D.
Related terms
People also read
Semantically related
- boilover64%
(AU, NZ, slang, countable) A sporting event with an unexpected outcome, especially a horse race where the favourite fails to win.
- bracket buster64%
(US, basketball, informal) An American college basketball team that unexpectedly defeats a higher-ranked team in a tournament.
- ace out63%
(intransitive, informal) To have a lucky streak; to experience a stroke of good fortune.
- back of the net61%
(British, colloquial) A smug expression of triumph or happiness.
- kissed on the dick by a fairy61%
(Australia, vulgar) Extremely lucky.