gosh all hemlock
- idiom
- Archaic
:
¡vaya!
- Gosh all hemlock, I can't believe I missed the last bus!
Examples
-
He dropped the heavy box on his foot and shouted, "gosh all hemlock!"
-
Gosh all hemlock, you startled me when you walked in so quietly.
-
Did you really say that? Gosh all hemlock!
-
Gosh all hemlock, this is surprising news!
-
Gosh all hemlock, I can't believe I missed the last bus!
-
Gosh all hemlock, this is surprising news!
-
Gosh all hemlock, you startled me when you walked in so quietly.
Synonyms
553
6.4
An exclamation showing surprise, wonder, or mild annoyance
347
8.9
An angry or surprised question showing you do not believe something
90
8.9
A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance
46
8.6
A short phrase people say to show surprise or admiration
24
9.9
A word people say to show mild surprise
14
9.9
A strong rude shout people use when they feel very angry or shocked
13
9.9
A short sound people make when they feel frustrated, annoyed, or surprised
4
9.9
A short informal word people say when they feel surprise, shock, or annoyance
2
9.9
An informal word people say to show surprise, annoyance, or that they do not believe something
2
7.0
To show surprise, shock or disbelief in a mild, polite way
1
9.9
An old word people say to show surprise or strong feeling
1
9.9
A mild old word people say to show surprise
A strong spoken reaction showing surprise and disbelief
How Intense
- Informal
45
7.6
- Archaic
- Archaic
5
7.5
- Informal
1
8.8
321
6.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The overall exclamatory meaning ('express surprise/disbelief/frustration') cannot be predicted from the literal meanings of 'gosh' (a mild exclamation) plus 'all' and 'hemlock' (a poisonous plant). The phrase appears to be an idiomatic or archaic fixed expletive where 'hemlock' does not contribute a transparent intensifying or emotional sense, so a B1 learner who knows the parts would very likely not infer the intended pragmatic force.
Etymology
Gosh all hemlock may come from an old soft swear that mixes gosh, a mild form of 'God', with hemlock, the poisonous plant Socrates drank. That's why it's used as a strong but safe way 'to show surprise, disbelief, or frustration'.