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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

Well, cripes, Jack, I’d like to, but I don’t want to leave the kids.

From Little Fuzzy by Piper, H. Beam

"By cripes, we'll tote him out," declared Big Medicine, pushing ahead of Chip in his enthusiasm.

From The Happy Family by Bower, B. M.

He'd mortgage his ranch and feel like a millionaire, by cripes!

From The Phantom Herd by Bower, B. M.

Oh, cripes, Norry," Hugh said a little impatiently, "you exaggerate all my virtues; you always have.

From The Plastic Age by Marks, Percy

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.