bejesus

[ bih-jee-zuhs, -jey- ]

interjection

1. (used as a mild oath expressing dismay, anger, or the like.)

noun

1. Informal. dickens; devil; deuce:

   The conglomerate plans to take that tiny company and expand the bejesus out of it.

bejesus

/ bɪˈdʒeɪzəz /

interjection

1. an exclamation of surprise, emphasis, etc, regarded as a characteristic utterance of Irish people

noun

1. the bejesus
   (intensifier) used in such phrases as beat the bejesus out of , scare the bejesus out of , etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of bejesus¹

First recorded in 1905–10; alteration of oath by Jesus

Word History and Origins

Origin of bejesus¹

C20: alteration of by Jesus!

Example Sentences

Forrest Gump was about as crimson as they come, and America loved the bejesus out of him.

From The Daily Beast

If we did this, we'd be able to tax the bejesus out of everyone doing business here, wherever they happened to be headquartered.

From The Daily Beast

Biting, scratching, beating the bejesus out of one another, bounty hunting.

From The Daily Beast

The goal should not be to terrify the bejesus out of the public, lest they scrunch their noses and give up.

From The Daily Beast

Russia continues to drink itself into a stupor, but still the scares the bejesus out of everyone.

From The Daily Beast