Showing Surprise: English Vocabulary List

used to convey surprise or amazement when something unexpected or remarkable happens

"She learned to walk at nine months — wonders will never cease!"

"The struggling department posted its best quarterly results in a decade — wonders will never cease."

a way of saying that one does not believe something because it sounds too unbelievable or exaggerated

"He said he was working late, a likely story."

"The boy said that a dog ate his homework but his teacher said that is a likely story."

used to show one's surprise when meeting someone in a place one did not expect, or when one becomes aware of an unexpected relation between people

"It is a small world, I know your cousin."

"It is a small world because my new neighbour turned out to be my childhood best friend."

used to show one's surprise when seeing someone or something unexpected

"As I live and breathe, it is John."

"As I live and breathe I never expected to see my old school teacher again after forty years."

used to emphasize a statement, express determination, or mild astonishment

"By gum! I think you are right."

"By gum! I think you are right, and I was wrong about the whole situation."

used to show that one is shocked, annoyed, or surprised

"Good grief! Not again. Please stop."

"Good grief! Not again. Please stop making the same mistake over and over again."

to display complete surprise or disbelief

"Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle!"

"If he actually finished the entire project on time, then I will be a monkey's uncle because I never believed he could do it."

used to show one's disbelief over something that was just said

"My ass! That is a lie."

"My ass! That is a lie because I was there, and I saw what really happened with my own eyes."

used to express one's disagreement or disbelief

"My eye! I do not believe you."

"My eye! I do not believe you because your story does not match the facts at all."

used to show one's disagreement or disbelief

"My foot! That is completely false."

"My foot! That is completely false, and you know it, so stop lying to me right now."

used to tell a person that what they are hoping for will never happen or come true

"You wish! That would ever happen."

"You wish! That would ever happen because it is never going to come true, no matter how hard you try."

used to show one's frustration, surprise, or anger

"Hell's bells, that is loud," he shouted."

"Well hell's bells the car broke down again on the same deserted road as last month."

used to refer to a state in which someone is so surprised or frightened that they are unable to think clearly or make any move

"The witness froze like a deer caught in headlights."

"The nervous new employee stood like a deer caught in headlights when the manager asked him a question."

used to express great shock, disapproval, anger, etc., in reaction to someone's bold behavior

"Of all the nerve, he took my parking spot."

"Of all the nerve that man parked in my reserved spot and then yelled at me."

used to emphasize that something is genuine, serious, or not a joke

"For real? Is that actually true?"

"For real? Is that actually true, or are you just pulling my leg right now?"

used to express surprise, amazement, or disbelief

"Holy cow, look at that!"

"Holy cow, look at that amazing car parked right in front of us."

used to show that one is really shocked or amazed

"Holy shit! That is amazing!"

"Holy shit! That is amazing. I cannot believe you actually did that. It is incredible."

used to express surprise, shock, or amazement

"Holy moly, that is huge!"

"Holy moly, that is huge! I have never seen anything like it before."

used when one is looking at something with a great sense of wonder or surprise

"My eyes are on stalks."

"Her eyes were on stalks when she saw the surprise."

used when something, such as unexpected news, causes one to be greatly confused or shocked

"His jaw dropped open wide."

"Her jaw dropped open when she heard the shocking news."

used to express one's surprise or bafflement at something unexpected or remarkable

"Lo and behold, it appeared."

"Lo and behold, the lost puppy suddenly appeared at the doorstep, wagging its tail happily."

used to show disbelief, shock, or surprise at something that has been said or done

"Good heavens! What happened to you?"

"Good heavens! What happened to your face? It looks like you were in a fight."

used to express surprise, amazement, or mild exasperation

"Good gracious! What a surprise!"

"Good gracious! What a surprise to see you here. I thought you were still on vacation."