1990s
Still common
Definition
Disbelief - from the movie The Castle.
Example Sentence
"He wants $500 for that? Tell him he's dreamin!"
Where "Tell Him He's Dreamin" Comes From
Another gift from the 1997 film The Castle — said by neighbour Con Petropoulos in response to a lowball offer for the Kerrigan family home, mocking just how unrealistic the proposal was.
The line landed so well that it became instantly iconic, one of the most recognisable and repeated quotes in Australian film history.
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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