goodness me
6
7.7
- idiom
- /ˈɡʊdnəs mi/
- Archaic
- Goodness me, there she is.
- Oh, goodness me
- Thank goodness
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Watch on YouTubeShe'll be like, oh, Blimey, oh goodness me.
- She'll be like, oh, Blimey, oh goodness me.
- And now they've researched, goodness me, takes a while to get used to the belly pump.
- So my Judith Louise, my darling, Oh, my goodness me.
- Honestly, like goodness me, the thought of having another baby anytime soon.
- Oh my goodness me, that's a bit of a big starter, isn't it?
- But then suddenly I thought, well, goodness me, you know, I am here on my knees of my life because I've made such a mess of it.
- And my goodness, me, you know, ladies and gentlemen, let's mix it up a little.
Examples
-
Thank goodness, I was worried for the animals.
Blog text (17) -
Oh my goodness me, that's a bit of a big starter, isn't it?
-
Oh my goodness me, look.
-
And thank goodness I did.
Blog text (17) -
Thank goodness I brought my camera and made lists!
Blog text (25) -
Goodness me, your face is on fire.
Fiction book (1995) -
LlBBY: Oh, my goodness me, look at all of this.
-
But then suddenly I thought, well, goodness me, you know, I am here on my knees of my life because I've made such a mess of it.
-
I waited almost an hour for them to figure out how to finalize the layaway pre-order; thank goodness I was the only one to show up.
Blog text (17) -
Goodness me, there she is!
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Show a sudden feeling like surprise or understanding
∞
6.6
A short exclamation people use to show surprise or strong feeling
∞
1.0
A short word people say to show surprise or admiration
∞
7.2
A short sound people make to show surprise or pleasure
602
9.2
Say it to show surprise, excitement, or thanks
314
8.6
A short phrase people say to show surprise or admiration
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
86
8.2
An exclamation that shows strong surprise or shock
63
9.9
A word people say to show mild surprise
52
9.4
A short sound people say to show surprise or admiration
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
28
9.9
A short spoken phrase showing strong surprise or shock
16
8.3
A short sound people say to show surprise or excitement
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
9
9.9
A short sound people make to show surprise or admiration
6
8.6
Words people say to show relief, joy or surprise
5
6.7
A short cry people say when they are very surprised
4
9.9
A way to say you are surprised or do not believe something
4
9.9
A short cry showing surprise or sudden understanding
2
9.9
An old expression showing surprise or shock
2
9.9
A short exclamation showing surprise or excitement
2
9.9
An informal word people say to show surprise, annoyance, or that they do not believe something
1
8.4
A short sound people make when they suddenly understand something
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
9.9
An old word that people say to show surprise or strong feeling
1
9.9
A short shout that shows surprise or shock
1
9.6
To show surprise or doubt
1
9.8
An excited shout showing surprise or being impressed
1
9.9
A short phrase people say when they feel surprised or do not believe something
1
8.7
A quiet sound people make when they are surprised or impressed
1
9.9
A short phrase people say when they feel surprised or do not believe something
1
9.9
Said to show surprise or doubt
1
9.5
A short phrase showing surprise or disbelief used by people who call on Allah
A short shout to show surprise or amazement
A word people say to show strong surprise
How Surprised
Surface Forms
Morphology
goodness + me
The phrase is an exclamative built from 'goodness' (used as an interjection/euphemism) plus the pronoun 'me'; if a learner recognises 'goodness' as an exclamatory word they can infer surprise. However, the fixed formula and the vocative/affective use of 'me' are somewhat idiomatic and not fully predictable from literal meanings alone, so prior exposure helps.
Etymology
Goodness me began as a gentle way to avoid saying 'God' directly: people used goodness instead of 'good God' and added me to show strong feeling. So, this softer exclamation came to mean 'surprise', 'shock', or 'admiration'.