oy gevalt
Jewish distress cry
Oy gevalt is a Yiddish exclamation expressing alarm, dismay, or exasperation—stronger than *oy vey* alone.
Gevalt derives from a German word meaning force or violence, so the phrase carries a sense of crisis or emergency: Oy gevalt, the whole basement is flooded!
Common in Jewish American speech and increasingly familiar beyond it.
Exclamation of exasperation
- oh noExclamation of alarm
- heavensCelestial expanse overhead
- dear meGentle dismay expression
- yikesStartled dismay exclamation
oh my · whoa · mercy · alas · lordy · egad · gracious · jeepers
Displeasure from blocked efforts
- aggravationState of being vexed
- dismayDistressed loss of courage
- fed upOut of patience
- vexationFrustrated annoyance
disbelief · impatience · annoyance · irritation · exasperated · disgruntlement · chagrin · indignation
Shameless, admirable audacity
- kvetchHabitual grumbler
- nuGreek alphabet's thirteenth
- schlepAwkward, effortful journey
- schmoozeChat to gain favor
kibitz · nosh · bubkes · meshuga · schmaltz · verklempt · klutz · mensch
Great sorrow or distress
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- troubleDifficulty or distress
- misfortuneAdverse circumstance or event
- calamitySevere misfortune or disaster
catastrophe · disaster · hardship · suffering · grief · despair · dread · anxiety
good grief
Exclamation of exasperation
yikes · oh my · whoa · mercy · alas · lordy · egad · gracious · jeepers · oh boy
frustration
Displeasure from blocked efforts
- aggravationState of being vexed
- dismayDistressed loss of courage
- fed upOut of patience
vexation · disbelief · impatience · annoyance · irritation · exasperated · disgruntlement · chagrin · indignation · overwhelmed
chutzpah
Shameless, admirable audacity
schmooze · kibitz · nosh · bubkes · meshuga · schmaltz · verklempt · klutz · mensch · schlemiel
woe
Great sorrow or distress
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- troubleDifficulty or distress
- misfortuneAdverse circumstance or event
calamity · catastrophe · disaster · hardship · suffering · grief · despair · dread · anxiety · alarm
self-deprecating
Belittling one's own abilities
- exaggerationOverstating beyond reality
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- kvetchHabitual grumbler
neurotic · comedic · Borscht Belt · schmaltz · timing · irony · sarcasm · deadpan · wry · sitcom
oy gevaltmazel tov
Hebrew celebratory exclamation
hallelujah · hooray · hurrah · yay · woohoo
oy gevaltmazel tov
Hebrew celebratory exclamation
thank God · blessed be · what a relief · everything's fine · no problem