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Glite Dictionary
Sweet Mary mother of God

Sweet Mary mother of God

1 9.9
A strong cry showing surprise or shock
  • idiom
  • UK
: ¡Madre de Dios!
  • When he heard the news, he exclaimed, "Sweet Mary mother of God, that's unbelievable!"

Examples

  • Sweet Mary mother of God, that was the scariest movie I've ever seen.

  • I can't believe you did that, Sweet Mary mother of God!

  • Sweet Mary mother of God, I can't believe how high the bill is this month!

  • Oh my, Sweet Mary mother of God! What happened here?

  • Sweet Mary mother of God, I can't believe how high the bill is this month!

  • Sweet Mary mother of God, that was the scariest movie I've ever seen.

  • Sweet Mary mother of God, what a shocking turn of events!

Synonyms

holy shit
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Offensive
169 9.9

A strong phrase people say when they are very surprised or shocked

is a respectful religious exclamation rather than a vulgar outburst
good God
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Informal
86 8.2

An exclamation that shows strong surprise or shock

is more elaborate and emotionally charged in its religious tone
holy crap
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Offensive
35 9.6

To say when you are very surprised or shocked

is a reverent religious phrase rather than a vulgar one
holy cow
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Informal
29 7.6

A short phrase people say to show surprise or disbelief

relies on religious language rather than a neutral casual term
lordy
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Informal
29 9.4

A short informal cry showing surprise or strong feeling

feels more overtly religious and formal in expressing astonishment
Sweet Jesus
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Informal
28 9.9

A short spoken phrase showing strong surprise or shock

uses a longer, more elaborate religious phrase to show shock
goodness gracious
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Archaic
11 7.5

A short phrase people say to show surprise or shock

is stronger and more emotionally intense in reaction
holy moley
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Informal
3 9.6

A short surprised phrase people say when they are shocked

is more solemn and devotional in expressing shock
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Irish
2 9.7

Words people say to show very strong surprise or shock

uses a single extended religious address to express surprise
holy macaroni
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Informal
1 9.6

To show surprise or doubt

uses sincere religious wording rather than playful casual language
Oh my Allah
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Informal
1 9.5

A short phrase showing surprise or disbelief used by people who call on Allah

uses Christian devotional language rather than a different divine name
Creeping Jesus
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • NSFW
1 9.9

A short cry showing surprise or shock

is a more formal or extended religious exclamation of astonishment
mercy sake's alive
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Archaic
9.9

A short cry of surprise when something is hard to believe

uses a more devotional and intensified form to show astonishment
holy doodle
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Informal
9.9

A word people say to show strong surprise

is more reverent and formal in expressing surprise
holy shamoley
vsSweet Mary mother of God
  • Slang
9.9

A short shout to show surprise or amazement

is more earnest and devotional when showing astonishment

Surface Forms

Sweet Mary mother of God main

Morphology

sweet + Mary + mother + of + God

The phrase functions as a fixed religious invocation used as an exclamation; its meaning 'an expression of surprise or shock' is not compositionally derived from the literal senses of 'sweet', 'Mary', 'mother', 'of', and 'God'. Without cultural/pragmatic familiarity or prior exposure, a B1 learner who knows the constituents would be unlikely to predict its exclamatory, idiomatic use.

Etymology

Sweet Mary mother of God may come from people calling on Mary (the mother of Jesus) in sudden, shocking moments. Saying her name made the feeling stronger, so the phrase came to mean 'surprise' or 'shock'.