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Holy Smoke

What Does "Holy Smoke" Mean?

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"Holy smoke" is an English idiom. It is an informal exclamation used to express surprise, astonishment, or amazement, similar to "wow" or "unbelievable."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "holy smoke" used in a sentence:
  • Holy smoke! Look at the size of that wildfire; it's spreading quickly!
  • When they announced the unexpected winner of the talent show, the audience exclaimed, 'Holy smoke!'
  • His reaction to the breathtaking view from the mountaintop was a simple, 'Holy smoke, this is incredible!'
meaning for holy smoke

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Holy Smoke" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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