What does "A face like a dropped pie" mean?
It means someone looks tired, grumpy or not their best. Friends say it as a joke, not as a real insult.
Hear an Aussie say it
The saying
A face like a dropped pie
Example
My mate Bruce is a legend, but he has a face like a dropped pie (you only say this to a mate).
(A legend is a great person.)
How Aussies use it
The morning after a late night
Tom: Big night?
Jack: Yeah. I've got a face like a dropped pie this morning.
A big night is a late night out. Jack is joking about himself, which is the safest way to use it.
After the footy
Mia: Cheer up! You've had a face like a dropped pie since the game finished.
Ben: We lost by one point. Give me a minute!
Footy means football. Here it means looking grumpy and upset.
How to reply
- "Ha, rough night." If a friend says it to you after a late night.
- "Cheers, love you too." A joking reply to a close friend. Cheers means thanks.
When to use it
Only with close friends who are already joking around, or about yourself. It is a cheeky (a bit rude, but playful) joke about how someone looks, and it only works when everyone is laughing.
When not to use it
Never say it to a stranger, a boss, a customer, or anyone who might feel hurt about their looks. Comments about someone's face can really sting.
Questions about "A face like a dropped pie"
Is a face like a dropped pie an insult?
Yes, but a playful one between friends. Said to someone you don't know well, it is just rude.
What does a dropped pie look like?
A meat pie that has fallen on the ground: squashed, messy and sad. That is the joke.
Can I say it about myself?
Yes. Joking about yourself is the safest way to use it.
