bejesus

American  

[bih-jee-zuhs, -jey-] / bɪˈdʒi zəs, -ˈdʒeɪ- /

interjection

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

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noun

1. Informal. dickens; devil; deuce.

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

bejesus British  

/ bɪˈdʒeɪzəz /

interjection

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

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noun

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

Etymology

Origin of bejesus

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bejesus

“Concerned citizens are worried. We ought to try to help them, not scare the bejesus out of them.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

Rhonda J. Soikowski directs and Ayako Okano provides music for this trio as they tackle more than 50 characters in this story about ghosts who haunt the bejesus out of a greedy business owner.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 4, 2023

"There's a really wicked streak in me that says, 'should I go and book a test, turn up and scare the bejesus out of them when they do it?"

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2023

But from what I’ve seen, especially in the past few weeks, the crews on the ground at the airports are genuinely cleaning the bejesus out of the cabins.

From Slate ● Jun. 20, 2020

“Armpit scares the bejesus out of me. But now I told you the truth, so everything’s cool, right?”

From "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar