nick off
British and Australian slang for telling someone to go away or for making a quick, often stealthy exit yourself.
Definitions
British and Australian slang for telling someone to go away or for making a quick, often stealthy exit yourself. When you tell someone to nick off, you're telling them to get lost — it's ruder than 'go away' but stops short of a full-on insult. When used reflexively, it means slipping away before anyone notices, like ducking out of work early or disappearing from a party without saying goodbye.
The foreman turned around and half the crew had already nicked off for the afternoon.
Comments
(UK, Australian) Go away; get lost.
Nick off means: Go away; get lost.. 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. 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.
nick off means: Go away; get lost.. 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
(AU, slang) To leave, especially in a hurry.
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