uh-oh, Spaghetti-O
- idiom
- /ʌˈoʊ spəˈɡɛti oʊ/
- Baby Talk
- When the vase fell, I thought, uh-oh, Spaghetti-O!
Examples
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When the paint spilled on the carpet, all I could say was uh-oh, Spaghetti-O.
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He opened his exam paper and thought, uh-oh, Spaghetti-O, I didn’t study this chapter!
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Uh-oh, Spaghetti-O, the power just went out right before dinner.
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Did you just say uh-oh, Spaghetti-O in a meeting?
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Uh-oh, Spaghetti-O, the power just went out right before dinner.
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He opened his exam paper and thought, uh-oh, Spaghetti-O, I didn’t study this chapter!
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When the paint spilled on the carpet, all I could say was uh-oh, Spaghetti-O.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Show a sudden feeling like surprise or understanding
∞
6.6
A short exclamation people use to show surprise or strong feeling
∞
7.2
To say when surprised or when you want someone to stop suddenly
∞
8.9
An angry or surprised question showing you do not believe something
∞
7.2
A short sound people make to show surprise or pleasure
683
6.4
An exclamation showing surprise, wonder, or mild annoyance
448
7.5
A small amount of care or worry about something
389
9.9
A shout people make to show excitement or surprise
320
9.3
A short sound people make to show mild amusement or slight disbelief
265
7.0
To show surprise, shock or disbelief in a mild, polite way
182
7.4
Shows surprise or mild doubt about what someone just said
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
52
9.4
A short sound people say to show surprise or admiration
42
9.9
Say it when you suddenly feel upset or annoyed about a mistake
35
9.6
To say when you are very surprised or shocked
16
8.3
A short sound people say to show surprise or excitement
9
9.9
A short sound people make to show surprise or admiration
7
9.9
A short shout to get attention, for example to show surprise or annoyance
6
9.1
A short sound people make when they feel a quick pain
6
8.2
A short word said after a small mistake often used playfully
5
8.9
A short playful word people say after a small mistake
4
9.9
A short cry showing surprise or sudden understanding
2
9.9
An informal word said to show surprise, doubt, or annoyance
2
9.9
An informal word people say to show surprise, annoyance, or that they do not believe something
1
9.9
A friendly phrase people say to show surprise or excitement
1
8.4
A short laugh that shows surprise or amusement
1
9.9
People type it online to show confusion or surprise
1
9.9
A short phrase people say when they feel surprised or do not believe something
1
9.9
A short exclamation showing frustration or surprise
1
9.9
A loud informal shout that shows surprise, shock, or strong annoyance
1
9.9
A short phrase people say when they feel surprised or do not believe something
A short word people say to show playful surprise or mild shock
To say or write a short exclamation to show surprise
How Concerned
Surface Forms
Morphology
uh-oh, + Spaghetti-O
The core meaning ('mild surprise or dismay') is signalled transparently by 'uh-oh', but the tag 'Spaghetti-O' is a playful, brand-based rhyme that does not contribute literal compositional meaning. Because understanding the overall expression depends on recognizing the interjection plus a culture-specific humorous tag rather than a regular compositional pattern, it is only partially predictable to learners.
Etymology
The expression uh-oh, Spaghetti-O likely comes from the small warning uh-oh being turned into a playful rhyme by adding the silly food name Spaghetti-O, maybe from the canned snack or just for the funny sound. By turning uh-oh into a rhyme, the phrase makes a little problem feel light and joking, so people use it for mild 'surprise' or 'concern'.