darn it
30
8.4
- idiom
- Informal
- Darn it, I can't believe I forgot my keys again!
- Gosh darn it
- Oh, darn it
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Watch on YouTubeGosh darn it, this game is impossible.
- Gosh darn it, this game is impossible.
- I'm like, I have to sit there and watch you drink that, Gosh darn it.
- I was thinking we're going to fly in Slurpees, darn it.
Examples
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Darn it, yes.
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Gosh darn it, you look familiar.
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"Darn it, Frank," Joe said.
Fiction book (1996) -
But gosh darn it, it's just, it's a lot.
-
Gosh darn it, this game is impossible.
-
Oh, darn it, that signals the end of our game.
-
Darn it, another dead end.
-
Darn it, now I have to think about this.
Blog text (18) -
Darn it, I can't get any further.
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But darn it, Lois, that's enough now.
Synonyms
∞
8.9
An angry or surprised question showing you do not believe something
∞
9.2
Shows strong anger, annoyance, or surprise in rude informal speech
∞
6.7
Said to show anger, surprise or annoyance
448
7.5
A small amount of care or worry about something
239
7.4
An informal word that makes a feeling stronger, for example very tired
200
9.7
A strong expression showing anger, surprise, or urgency
100
9.9
Shows strong anger or annoyance in a rude way
66
8.2
You say this when you feel very annoyed or impatient
62
6.7
A word people say when they feel annoyed or surprised
55
7.6
People say it to show impatience or anger
47
9.9
Adds strong anger or surprise to what you say
44
8.8
A short cry people say when they feel frustrated or annoyed
43
9.9
A very rude phrase people say to show strong anger or annoyance
42
9.9
Say it when you suddenly feel upset or annoyed about a mistake
37
7.6
Say it when you are annoyed to ask someone to do or stop something
35
8.7
A phrase that shows frustration or annoyance
26
9.0
Shows someone is annoyed, impatient, or in a hurry when spoken
23
9.9
A strong rude shout people use when they feel very angry or shocked
21
8.4
A short angry cry people say when they feel annoyed or frustrated
21
9.9
People say a strong angry word when they feel very annoyed
20
9.4
A short exclamation that shows annoyance or disappointment
7
9.9
A short informal word people say when they feel surprise, shock, or annoyance
6
9.5
A short spoken word people use to show mild annoyance or disappointment
5
8.2
A person asks angrily and urgently for someone to act now
4
9.9
A short cry people make when they feel pain or are annoyed
4
9.9
A short phrase people say when they are annoyed
2
9.9
Feeling a little angry or annoyed about something
2
9.9
An informal word people say to show surprise, annoyance, or that they do not believe something
1
9.2
A short mild word people say when they are annoyed
1
8.6
A mild word people use to show they are annoyed about something
1
9.9
An old word used to show anger or strong dislike
1
9.0
A short word people say to show mild anger, surprise, or frustration
1
9.9
To say an old-fashioned rude word to show surprise or anger
1
9.2
A mild exclamation people say when they feel annoyed or disappointed
1
9.9
A loud informal shout that shows surprise, shock, or strong annoyance
1
9.9
A short word said to show surprise or mild anger
1
9.9
An old mild word people say when they are annoyed
Very bad and annoying
People say this to show annoyance or strong feeling
How Strong
Surface Forms
Morphology
darn + it
The meaning of 'darn it' is directly derived from 'darn' (a mild exclamation of frustration) with 'it' pointing to the offending thing or situation; the pronoun does not change the basic exclamative meaning. This simple compositional pattern (exclamation + pronoun/object slot) is common across languages and thus readily understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
The expression darn it began as a softer way to say the rude word 'damn it' when people wanted to avoid swearing. So today people say darn it to show frustration or annoyance without using a stronger curse.