1960s
Still common
Definition
Moving or leaving very quickly.
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Where "Off Like a Bride's Nightie" Comes From
The phrase jokingly plays on the supposed eagerness of a newly married couple on their wedding night — the bride's nightie, in the words of the saying, comes off very quickly indeed.
It's first recorded in Australian sources from 1969 and quickly spread through horse racing and everyday speech alike, describing anything that starts or departs with sudden speed.
Example Sentence
"The moment the bell rang, the kids were off like a bride's nightie."
How Aussies Actually Use It
"Off like a bride's nightie" is used for any fast start or hasty departure, whether it's a sprinting racehorse or a mate bolting for the door.
It's a cheeky, good-humoured phrase, typically used to add colour to an otherwise ordinary description of speed.
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