Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (Aus.) trouble, disgrace, difficulties; esp. as in strife.

1913		G. Robey [perf.] ‘And Very Nice Too’ 🎵 The lady said, "Kiss me" I did, bet your life / A fellow rushed up. I thought now they'll [sic] be strife.
1914		Bulletin (Sydney) 16 July 10/4: Last week Elvira Jibkat, young and pure, and oh! so fair, / Was hacking at a Raphael with a knife / (She wore, I need not say, the latest shrieks in clothes and hair); / Men rushed her. She became involved in strife.
1918		C.J. Dennis ‘West’ in Chisholm (1951) 96: But, lad, I’ve ’ad so much uv strife / I want things straightened in my life.
1949		Mirror (Perth) 4 June 16/2: Arm-Waver in Strife [...] when told she’d be arrested unless she spoke up smartly, she retorted: ‘Go ahead’.
1951		(con. 1941) E. Lambert Twenty Thousand Thieves 77: Dooley’s in strife again.
1955		N. Pulliam I Travelled a Lonely Land (1957) 234/2: in strife – in trouble.
1963		‘Nino Culotta’ Gone Fishin’ 19: He’s in a bit of strife with the Lands Department.
1972		A. Chipper Aussie Swearers Guide 76: Don’t argue the toss with me or you’ll be in more strife than Ned kelly.
1974		D. Ireland Burn 120: You in strife or something?
1982		G. Newbold Big Huey 88: Jake was always in strife with the admin.
1986		R. Fitzgerald Pushed from the Wings (1989) 131: She’s caused me strife from arsehole to breakfast time.
1988		McGill Dict. of Kiwi Sl. 109/1: strife trouble, often in phrs more strife than a pork chop in a synagogue / than a pregnant nun.
1989		R.G. Barrett Boys from Binjiwunyawunya 176: It’s a different ball game in here and if you get into any strife there’s not much I can do.
1996		P. Temple Bad Debts (2012) [ebook] I’m in a bit of strife, mate. You reckon you can give me a ring?
1999		(con. 1979–80) A. Wheatle Brixton Rock (2004) 12: I don’t look for strife [...] but it sort of follows me about.
2003		McGill Reed Dict. of N.Z. Sl. [as cit. 1988].
2009		P. Temple Truth 378: Dad’s in dead strife, there’s no way out, the fucking wind is shifting and...
2010		L. Redhead Thrill City [ebook] Nerida Saunders get into any strife?
2013		K. Koke ‘Cold Roads’ 🎵 I been hurting for so long I’m sick of all the strife.
2016		N. Cummins Adventures of the Honey Badger [ebook] I thought I was gonna be in strife for at least two days.
2020		G. Disher Consolation 109: ‘Quinlan’s business is in strife’.

2. (UK Und.) a life sentence.

1989

(con. 1950s–60s) in G. Tremlett Little Legs 197: strife life sentence.