Where "Tell Him He's Dreamin" Comes From
Also from The Castle (1997) — alongside straight to the pool room, this is the film's other line that made it into everyday Australian speech. Darryl's lawyer Dennis Denuto uses it early on, and Darryl himself repeats it later, dismissing a lowball offer for the family home as something out of la-la land: "Tell him he's dreaming."
It's now used any time someone is asking for something wildly unrealistic — a price, a favour, a deadline — regardless of any connection to the film.
Source:
"He wants $500 for that? Tell him he's dreamin!"
How Aussies Actually Use It
Used to dismiss anything wildly unrealistic — a friend asking for an outrageous favour, a wishful sale price, an over-the-top pay-rise request.
It works both as gentle mockery among mates and as a quick, universally understood way to say "not a chance."
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