holy buckets
1
9.9
- idiom
- Informal
- Holy buckets! I didn't expect to see you here today.
Examples
-
Holy buckets, that storm came out of nowhere!
-
When I heard the news, all I could say was 'holy buckets!'
-
Holy buckets! That was an incredible performance!
-
Holy buckets, I can't believe how fast you finished that project!
-
After hearing the surprise party plans, I exclaimed, 'Holy buckets!'
Synonyms
∞
8.9
An angry or surprised question showing you do not believe something
265
7.0
To show surprise, shock or disbelief in a mild, polite way
169
9.9
A strong phrase people say when they are very surprised or shocked
147
8.9
A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance
86
8.2
An exclamation that shows strong surprise or shock
47
9.9
Adds strong anger or surprise to what you say
35
9.6
To say when you are very surprised or shocked
29
7.6
A short phrase people say to show surprise or disbelief
29
9.4
A short informal cry showing surprise or strong feeling
23
9.9
A strong rude shout people use when they feel very angry or shocked
14
8.2
A short cry to show strong surprise or admiration
11
7.5
A short phrase people say to show surprise or shock
10
9.5
A short word people say when they are surprised or shocked
9
9.9
A strong old word people say to show surprise or shock
7
9.9
A short informal word people say when they feel surprise, shock, or annoyance
6
7.7
A short phrase people say to show surprise, shock, or admiration
4
6.1
Often comes before a word to show anger or surprise
3
9.6
A short surprised phrase people say when they are shocked
2
9.9
An old expression showing surprise or shock
1
9.9
A short shout that shows surprise or strong excitement
1
9.9
A word people used long ago to show surprise
1
9.9
A friendly phrase people say to show surprise or excitement
1
9.9
A short old word people say to show surprise or strong feeling
1
9.6
To show surprise or doubt
1
9.9
A short phrase people say when they feel surprised or do not believe something
1
9.9
A strong spoken reaction showing surprise and disbelief
1
9.9
A short shocked cry showing disbelief about something ridiculous
1
9.9
A loud informal shout that shows surprise, shock, or strong annoyance
1
9.5
A short phrase showing surprise or disbelief used by people who call on Allah
1
9.9
A short cry showing surprise or shock
A short shout to show surprise or amazement
A word people say to show strong surprise
A short cry of surprise when something is hard to believe
A short phrase people say to show surprise or frustration instead of using a religious name
How Surprised
- Informal
29
7.6
- Informal
1
9.9
- Informal
∞
1.0
- Informal
265
7.0
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
holy + buckets
The phrase combines 'holy' (sacred) with the literal noun 'buckets', and there is no compositional link from these meanings to an exclamation of surprise. Although English has a productive pattern of 'holy + X' exclamations (holy cow, holy moly), the choice of an arbitrary noun makes the overall meaning idiomatic and unpredictable for a B1 learner who only knows the parts.
Etymology
The exclamation holy buckets may come from putting the religious word holy next to a plain object like buckets, creating a funny picture of someone so shocked they knock over a bucket or cry out at something both sacred and ordinary. That's why people say holy buckets to show 'surprise' or 'shock'.