holy smoke
Surprised verbal outburst
Holy smoke is a mild exclamation of surprise, amazement, or alarm: Holy smoke, did you see that catch?
It belongs to a family of "holy" interjections—holy cow, holy moly, holy mackerel—that express astonishment while avoiding profanity.
The phrase sounds dated and slightly corny, often used ironically or by those who avoid stronger language.
- exclamationForceful sudden utterance
- censerVessel for burning aromatics
- incense burnerVessel for aromatic smoke
- myrrhFragrant gum from trees
- wowCry of amazement
oh my · my goodness · good heavens · for heaven's sake · oh boy · altar · blimey · sanctuary · interjection · benzoin · goodness gracious · piety · smudging · Zoroastrianism · copal · sacrament · crikey · sacred ritual
- exclamationsoh, yes, no, wow, hey
- minced oathsdarn, heck, gosh, shoot, dang
- sacred substancescommunion wine, communion wafer, chrism, frankincense, myrrh
- cleansingablution, bathing, bath, cleansing, rinse
- incenseincense burner, incense stick, incense burning, incense cone, incense holder
- disbeliefdisbelief, no way, incredulity, unbelievable, yeah right
holy smokegoddamn
Profane intensifier expressing frustration
holy shit · Jesus Christ · what the fuck · damn it · son of a bitch
holy, smoke, smoking, smoky, smoked, unholy, holiness, smoker, smokescreen