black stump

black stump

An imaginary marker of the edge of civilized settlement, usually referring to the Australian outback. The origin of the term is uncertain. Primarily heard in Australia. There are many people who still live beyond the black stump, lacking access to medical care and other basic social services.
See also: black, stump
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • back of the black stump
  • stump
  • the wooden spoon
  • this side of the black stump
  • beyond the black stump
  • sharpie
  • Buckley
  • Buckleys
  • Buckley's chance
  • Buckley's hope
References in periodicals archive
In the fall, they like oak trees and other hardwoods with big black stumps because the shade is more concentrated.
Today's hottest crappie lakes
Drinking fluoridated water will do nothing to improve or remove the black stumps from children's mouths.
Fluoride best applied topically through toothpaste
All games will be played with full coloured clothing, black stumps and pink balls.
Teams are set to go West in bid for league T20 glory
"Then he smiled and half of his top teeth were missing and the rest were black stumps. I just broke down and vowed I'd do everything in my power to try and get him out of there."
I fought for my brother's freedom but then he cut me out of his life; Susan Lee talks to the woman who changed the law to help her family
When he smiled half of his top teeth were missing, the rest were black stumps. I just broke down and I then just vowed to John that I'd do everything in my power to try and get him out of there.'
Sister who freed brother from Thai jail receives top honour
The cricket-mad keeper finally got rid of his green, brown and black stumps this week - another fortnight and I believe he'd have been legally entitled to wear dungarees and play the banjo - and splashed out pounds 1500 on a brand new set of pearly whites.
Rat Pack to rat trap
It prompted the players and officials to flee for the dressing room, with Warwickshire's England batsman Nick Knight hit as he made his pursuit from the crowds while the black stumps were stolen.
CRICKET: Safety review after Edgbaston invasion
The use of orange balls and black stumps also worked.
Twenty/20 Trophy proves to be one big success
On a boar hunt in the Tehachapi Mountains of California, I sat in the back of an open Jeep bouncing slowly along the rutted trails and could easily tell the difference between a hog and the black stumps covering the burned-over hills at distances as far as a mile without ever needing to have the driver pause.
Electrifying optics: today's high-tech glass is the real deal
There will be black stumps and bails, the enhanced use of replay screens with more information and statistics, an on-pitch compere and the use of music during intervals and certain points of the games.
Thorpe makes one-day squad
They sheer off and the sufferer is left with black stumps. This takes a couple of years but dentists can spot the early signs.
ANOREXIA THE FACTS