Where "Shoot Through Like a Bondi Tram" Comes From
Bondi is Sydney's famous beachside suburb, once served by a busy tram line where two trams would typically leave the city together — the first an express service that would "shoot through" ahead of the other, non-stop to Bondi Junction.
The phrase is first recorded in the 1940s and survived long after Sydney's trams stopped running in 1960, becoming a fixed part of Australian slang for anyone making a very quick exit.
"The second the boss left, he shot through like a Bondi tram."
How Aussies Actually Use It
It's used whenever someone leaves suddenly or in a hurry, often to avoid an awkward situation, a bill, or an unwanted task.
It pairs naturally with other hasty-exit phrases in Australian slang, painting the same picture of someone making a fast, decisive getaway.
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