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yikes

interjection
YYKS/jaɪks/

2 meanings of yikes

Practice

  1. 1
    interjectioncolloquialhumorous
    Used to express sudden shock or alarm, often at something startling or unexpected.

    Yikes, the brakes barely held on that steep hill.

    Yikes, I had no idea the cliff dropped off so sharply right there.

    Similareek, whoa, gosh, jeez

  2. 2
    interjectioncolloquialhumorous
    Used to express empathy with someone facing unpleasant or undesirable circumstances.

    Yikes, getting a flat tire on the way to the interview is awful.

    Three exams on the same morning? Yikes, good luck with that.

    Similarouch, oof

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Origin

Attested from the mid-20th century, "yikes" perhaps derives from "yoicks" (1765–1775), a hunting call used to urge hounds after a fox, itself perhaps related to the earlier "hoicks" and "hyke." Alternatively it may come from "yipes," an earlier exclamation of similar use, which may trace to the "yie" sound expressing pain or dismay, or to the yipping of dogs. The further etymology is unknown.