(Australia, colloquial) To bring down from within; to undermine.
(Australia, colloquial) To bring down from within; to undermine.
The white-anting of ATSIC has been brought about by the usual suspects.
White-ant means: To bring down from within; to undermine.. 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.
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.
Add your own interpretation of "white-ant".
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.
Browse all slang words starting with W.
(Australia, colloquial) The action or process of bringing down from within, undermining, sabotage.
(Australia) Termite mounds, crushed and watered, used as flooring material.
(Australia, , slang) Something that is regarded as outstanding.
(Australia, chiefly, Tasmania) Any of several species of large, aggressive ants of the genus , mainly endemic to Australia.
White-ant means: To bring down from within; to undermine.. 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.
white-ant means: To bring down from within; to undermine.. 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.
No comments yet — say something.
(Australia) A white settler in Australia; a non-Aboriginal Australian; often used attributively.