holy mackerel
Americaninterjection
Etymology
Origin of holy mackerel
First recorded in 1795–1805
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.
“We went from, we’re not going to make it to, holy mackerel, we’re going to make the Daytona 500,” he said.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 17, 2022
When that door opens to you — "Oh, holy mackerel."
From Salon • Jan. 8, 2022
The city was singing a song with the lyrics, “Hey, hey, holy mackerel, no doubt about it, the Cubs are on their way.”
From New York Times • Apr. 14, 2014
Yeah, if we had 5,000 at that stadium -- holy mackerel -- because it's a big bowl.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 28, 2011
Do you think I'm the man who—well, holy mackerel!
From The Daughter of Anderson Crow by McCutcheon, George Barr
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.
