1980s
Still common
Definition
To defeat a competitor by a very small margin; to win narrowly.
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Where "Blouse" Comes From
This sense of "blouse" comes from horse racing, where a "blouse" is the silk jacket worn by a jockey — the last thing a beaten horse sees as the winner edges narrowly ahead.
First recorded in the 1980s, the verb spread beyond the racetrack into general sporting commentary, describing any contest decided by the smallest of margins.
Example Sentence
"The favourite bloused the field by a nose in the final stretch."
How Aussies Actually Use It
"Blouse" is mostly heard in sports commentary, describing a photo-finish or a narrow win snatched right at the death.
It carries a sense of drama and closeness — a "bloused" result is one that could easily have gone the other way.
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