goodness gracious

Idioms and Phrases

Also, good gracious ; gracious sakes . Exclamation of surprise, dismay, or alarm, as in Goodness gracious! You've forgotten your ticket . Both goodness and gracious originally alluded to the good (or grace) of God, but these colloquial expressions, which date from the 1700s, are not considered either vulgar or blasphemous.

Example Sentences

I read that story and thought, 'Goodness gracious, this is not anything I ever learned.'

From The Daily Beast

Why, I expected to see a sort of great—goodness—gracious goddess, that kept him frightened to death of her.

From Project Gutenberg

And Uncle Wills pride, Sandys hair, that he made a picture of that sold for ever so much moneyoh, my goodness gracious!

From Project Gutenberg

Goodness gracious, I do believe this country'll be enough to turn one's head, almost, if it goes on like this much longer.'

From Project Gutenberg

Goodness Gracious—Used in a similar sense to the above, though in a milder degree.

From Project Gutenberg

My goodness gracious me, she cried out in a loud astonished voice as she drew out the contents of the packet.

From Project Gutenberg