Where "Shoot Through" Comes From
Green's Dictionary of Slang traces the full phrase — "shoot through like a Bondi tram" — back to 1940, in the Sydney newspaper Truth. It sits alongside rack off in the departures-and-dismissals corner of Australian slang, though the tone is different — "shoot through" describes someone leaving abruptly or without warning, often implying they've ducked out of a responsibility, rather than being told to leave.
"Shot through like a Bondi tram" is the extended, more theatrical version of the same phrase, referencing Sydney's old tram network (decommissioned in 1961), which is often mentioned as being notoriously fast on the Bondi line.
Source:
"He just shot through without saying goodbye."
How Aussies Actually Use It
Used to describe a hasty, sometimes rude exit — "he just shot through without saying goodbye" carries a mild note of disapproval, implying manners were skipped in the rush.
It can also describe someone deliberately dodging a bill, a chore, or an obligation, giving it a slightly sharper edge than simply "left early."
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