Phrases & SayingsPeople and character
carry on like a two-bob watch
Behave in an agitated, erratic or over-excited way.
In a sentence
He carried on like a two-bob watch when the call went against him.
Where it came from
A two-bob watch was a cheap watch, invoked in Australian comparisons for erratic or silly behaviour. The ‘carry on’ form continues that phrase family.
- Initial era
- 2000–today
- Where used
- Australia-wide