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Synonyms

phew

American  
[fyoo, pfyoo, whyoo] / fyu, pfyu, whyu /

interjection

  1. (used as an exclamation to express disgust, exhaustion, surprise, impatience, relief, etc.).

    Phew, it's hot!
phew British  
/ fjuː /

interjection

  1. an exclamation of relief, surprise, disbelief, weariness, etc

"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 phew

First recorded in 1595–1605

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.

This postseason features two rising-star rookie quarterbacks, at least two Week 1 rematches and one big phew.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2025

“I don’t know how many kilometers I was alone - phew, it was a bit risky but I tried to up the pace and I really profited.”

From Washington Post • Jul. 17, 2018

But the main sentiment is a kind of collective phew: "Everyone will say a prayer - not just for Thanksgiving, but that the campaign is over."

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2012

But I had a lot more fun watching the performances this week than I ever expected, so that's a great big "phew" from the peanut gallery, and I'll eventually learn to trust the producers.

From Salon • Jul. 15, 2010

Genie braced for that argument to start back up when, phew, Ernie came out the door.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

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.