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

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

It was like 100 degrees—hot but not the kind of number that would just scare the bejesus out of you immediately.

From Slate • Jul. 12, 2023

It’s just that you’ve intercut it to the bejesus with 6 million other bits.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2023

“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