oh worm
- idiom
- Slang
:
oh no
- She saw the disappointing exam result and just muttered, 'oh worm.'
Examples
-
Oh worm, looks like it’s going to rain right before our picnic.
-
Oh worm, I left my keys at home again.
-
Oh worm, I left my keys at home again.
-
Oh worm, looks like it’s going to rain right before our picnic.
-
After hearing the news, she sighed and said, 'oh worm.'
Synonyms
4
9.4
A short exclamation that shows annoyance or disappointment
4
9.9
A short informal word people say when they feel surprise, shock, or annoyance
2
8.7
A phrase that shows frustration or annoyance
1
9.9
Say it when you suddenly feel upset or annoyed about a mistake
A short phrase showing mild surprise or worry said in a playful way
An exclamation said when something suddenly goes wrong
How Disappointed
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'express mild dismay' cannot be derived from the literal constituents: 'oh' signals an interjection but 'worm' denotes an animal or an insulting person, neither of which transparently conveys disappointment. This phrase appears to be internet-specific or conventionalized slang, so a B1 learner who knows the words would likely not infer the idiomatic exclamatory sense without prior exposure.
Etymology
Oh worm may come from a playful image: imagine finding a small worm in your pocket or on your picnic and saying it with mild surprise and a little annoyance. So people now use oh worm online to show 'mild dismay' or 'disappointment'.