holy smokes
Mild amazement outburst
Holy smokes is a mild exclamation of surprise, amazement, or alarm: Holy smokes, did you see that catch?
It belongs to a family of "holy" expressions—holy cow, holy moly, holy mackerel—that let speakers express strong reactions without profanity.
The phrase sounds somewhat dated or folksy, often used for comic effect or around children.
Tame exclamation of surprise
- gollyGentle exclamation of surprise
- geeMild exclamation of surprise
- darnRepair by weaving
- heckMild frustrated exclamation
shucks · goodness · gracious · mercy · lordy · crikey · blimey · egad
Intense sudden wonder
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- incredulityInability to accept something
flabbergasted · gobsmacked · dumbfounded · thunderstruck · speechless · stunned · astounded · startled
gosh
Tame exclamation of surprise
heck · shucks · goodness · gracious · mercy · lordy · crikey · blimey · egad · jeepers
astonishment
Intense sudden wonder
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
incredulity · flabbergasted · gobsmacked · dumbfounded · thunderstruck · speechless · stunned · astounded · startled · aghast
- catchphrasescatchphrase, why so serious, cowabunga, good grief, yabba dabba doo
- exclamationsoh, yes, no, wow, hey
- minced oathsdarn, heck, gosh, shoot, dang
- Alarm Expressionshelp, mayday, SOS, oh no, watch out
holy smokesholy shit
Profane expression of shock
holy fuck · goddamn · what the fuck · damn · fucking hell
holy, holiness, smokes, holy day, holiest, holier, holy smoke