Phrases & SayingsFood and drink
off like a bucket of prawns in the sun
Also: went off like a bucket of prawns in the sun, go off like a bucket of prawns in the sun
Spoiled or became unpleasant very quickly.
In a sentence
By late afternoon the leftovers had gone off like a bucket of prawns in the sun.
Where it came from
The expression builds on the obvious image of prawns spoiling quickly in heat. Australian evidence directly supports the spoiled-food sense.
- First recorded
- 2011
- Initial era
- 2000–today
- Where used
- Australia-wide