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

Documentaries on ecological crises often begin by scaring the bejesus out of viewers before adding a note of tempered optimism.

From New York Times • Oct. 26, 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

Put another way, it was a question of sweet, sweet freedom to scare the absolute bejesus out of anyone you well please.

From Slate • Sep. 2, 2021

Singer Pink says her son’s COVID-19 experience was “a roller coaster” with symptoms including “all the things that scare the bejesus out of you as a mama.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2021

Another trick to scare the bejesus out of Barry and Jay.

From "I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005" by Lauren Tarshis