phew
[fyoo, pfyoo, whyoo]
- (used as an exclamation to express disgust, exhaustion, surprise, impatience, relief, etc.): Phew, it's hot!
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Origin of phew
First recorded in 1595–1605
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
exclamation, wow, amen, hello, alas, boo, hurrah, ahem, oh, whoopee, hooray, shucks, er, gosh, well, gesundheit, golly, phew, ouch, rahExamples from the Web for phew
Contemporary Examples
Phew, he could have sex too, so an heir for Downton was assured.
Dan Stevens Blows Up ‘Downton’: From Chubby-Cheeked Aristo to Lean, Mean American PsychoTim Teeman
September 19, 2014
Historical Examples
Phew, that doesn't sound like our fine lady of the stony heart!
Miss Pat at SchoolPemberton Ginther
"Phew," said Horse Egan, when a burial-party had taken over the burden.
Soldiers Three, Part II.Rudyard Kipling
His meat, what he would sell my customers, what trust me for years, phew!
The Woodcraft Girls at CampLillian Elizabeth Roy
Don't you know, Richard, when you were untying it at the top of the steps I said 'Phew!
Georgina of the RainbowsAnnie Fellows Johnston
They are one ov the phew who take their house with them, when they go away from home.
The Complete Works of Josh BillingsHenry W. Shaw
phew
- an exclamation of relief, surprise, disbelief, weariness, etc
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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
Word Origin and History for phew
vocalic gesture expressing weariness, etc., attested from c.1600.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper