What does "Sweet as" mean?
It means all good, no problem, or that works for me. Said about a thing, it can also mean great. It sounds unfinished, but nothing comes after as.
Hear an Aussie say it
The saying
Sweet as
Example
You'll pick me up at six? Sweet as.
How Aussies use it
At work
Grace: I've moved our meeting to Thursday.
Raj: Sweet as, thanks.
Here it means that's fine.
At the beach
Tom: I forgot the sunscreen.
Kate: Sweet as, I've got heaps.
Heaps means lots. Kate is saying it is no problem.
Showing off something new
Nina: Check out my new bike.
Chloe: Sweet as! When did you get it?
Said about a thing, sweet as means great.
How to reply
- "Cheers." Cheers means thanks.
- "Good stuff." Another relaxed way to say great. Often you don't need to reply at all.
When to use it
Use it as a quick, happy yes when a plan or favour is sorted, or to say something is great. It is relaxed, and it suits casual chat and text messages, where you may also see just sweet.
When not to use it
Skip it in formal emails and with people you need to impress, like at a job interview. Write "that's fine" or "that works for me".
Where it comes from
Green's Dictionary of Slang lists sweet as as another form of sweet as a nut, an old British slang phrase for something easy or going without problems.
Source: Green's Dictionary of Slang: sweet (see sweet as a nut)
Questions about "Sweet as"
Sweet as what?
Nothing. Green's Dictionary of Slang links it to the old phrase sweet as a nut, but today people just stop at as. Sweet as means good, fine or no problem.
Is sweet as rude?
No. It is friendly and casual, and fine with almost anyone in a relaxed setting. It is just too casual for formal writing.
Do Aussies say sweet on its own?
Yes. "Sweet!" means great or that works, much like sweet as.
