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Showing results for cripes. Search instead for Gripes.
Synonyms

cripes

American  
[krahyps] / kraɪps /

interjection

  1. (used as a mild oath or an exclamation of astonishment.)

cripes British  
/ kraɪps /

interjection

  1. old-fashioned an expression of surprise

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cripes

First recorded in 1905–10; apparently euphemistic alteration of Christ

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I was a pallbearer at her sister’s funeral, for cripes sake!

From Slate • Jun. 12, 2021

And, by cripes, he nailed their durned hides on his stable-door, too!

From Judith of Blue Lake Ranch by Gregory, Jackson

"By cripes, Luck's got to sleep in the hay loft—er I will," Big Medicine growled, making the boards of his bunk squeak with the flop of his disturbed body.

From The Phantom Herd by Bower, B. M.

We like you, by cripes, and we like your cookin' fine!

From The Happy Family by Bower, B. M.

"I know, by cripes, I'm goin' to mend my ways," Big Medicine declared meaningly.

From The Phantom Herd by Bower, B. M.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.