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Behavior & Approach - Showing Surprise

Discover how English idioms like "lo and behold" and "as I live and breathe" relate to showing surprise in English.

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English idioms related to Behavior & Approach
wonders (will|) never cease

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

Ex: Tom arrived early for once. Wonders will never cease. 
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a likely story

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

Ex: You lost your homework because a bird flew away with it? A likely story. 
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a small world

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

Ex: You know Sara too? It is a small world. 
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as I live and breathe

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

Ex: As I live and breathe, is that David from school? 
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by gum
by gum
[interjection]

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

Ex: By gum, the old radio still works. 
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good grief
good grief
[interjection]

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

Ex: Good grief, how did the kitchen get this messy? 
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[be] a monkey's uncle

to display complete surprise or disbelief

Ex: Well, I will be a monkey's uncle. Tom actually cleaned his desk. 
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my ass
my ass
[interjection]

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

Ex: Sick, my ass. I saw him playing football an hour ago. 
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my eye
my eye
[interjection]

used to express one's disagreement or disbelief

Ex: A professional, my eye. He broke the printer in five minutes. 
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my foot
my foot
[interjection]

used to show one's disagreement or disbelief

Ex: A quiet weekend, my foot. The neighbors played music until dawn. 
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you wish
you wish
[interjection]

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

Ex: You think I will lend you my car again? You wish. 
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hell's bells

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

Ex: Hell's bells, I left my keys in the office again. 
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like a (deer|rabbit) (caught|) in (the|) headlights

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

Ex: When the teacher asked him to explain the answer, he looked like a deer caught in headlights. 
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of all the (nerve|cheek)

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

Ex: Of all the nerve, he asked me to pay for dinner after insulting my cooking. 
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for real
for real
[interjection]

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

Ex: Is this offer for real, or are they just trying to attract attention? 
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holy cow
holy cow
[interjection]

used to express surprise, amazement, or disbelief

Ex: Holy cow, that dog is bigger than my sofa. 
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holy shit
holy shit
[interjection]

used to show that one is really shocked or amazed

Ex: Holy shit, did you see the size of that wave? 
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holy moly
holy moly
[interjection]

used to express surprise, shock, or amazement

Ex: Holy moly, this suitcase is heavier than it looks. 
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{one's} eyes [are] (out|) on stalks

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

Ex: When the children saw the giant cake, their eyes were on stalks. 
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{one's} jaw [drop] (open|)

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

Ex: When she heard the price of the apartment, her jaw dropped. 
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lo and behold
lo and behold
[interjection]

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

Ex: I opened the drawer, and lo and behold, the missing keys were there. 
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good (Lord|God|Heavens)
good Lord
[interjection]

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

Ex: Good Lord, who left the front door wide open? 
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good gracious
good gracious
[interjection]

used to express surprise, amazement, or mild exasperation

Ex: Good gracious, how did the hallway get this muddy? 
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