Meaning & use
my oh my
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Meanings
interjection
Used to show that you are surprised, impressed, or mildly shocked by something.
Grammar: Stands alone as a reaction; it does not take an object or a following clause.
My oh my, look at the size of that cake!
My oh my, you've grown so tall since last summer.
My oh my, I didn't expect to see you here today.
interjection
Used to express mild dismay or sympathy when you hear surprising or difficult news.
Grammar: Also stands alone; the tone of voice shows whether you mean surprise or sympathy.
My oh my, that sounds like a terrible week at work.
My oh my, what a shame the concert was cancelled.
My oh my, I'm sorry to hear about your accident.
Common combinations
- my oh my, look at …
- My oh my, look at that beautiful sunset!
- my oh my, what a …
- My oh my, what a wonderful surprise this is!
- my oh my, you …
- My oh my, you certainly know how to make an entrance.
- well, my oh my
- Well, my oh my, I never thought I'd see this day.
Synonyms and how they differ
- goodness
- A more general exclamation of surprise; it can also be used in slightly more formal situations than 'my oh my'.
- oh dear
- Shows concern or sympathy rather than surprise or admiration; it is not used for positive amazement.
- wow
- Mainly expresses admiration or excitement, not the mild dismay that 'my oh my' can also carry.
Commonly confused: my oh my or my, my?
my oh my vs my, my
A similar but shorter exclamation of surprise, often used repeatedly ('My, my, aren't we dressed up!'). It sounds slightly more old-fashioned than 'my oh my'.
Practice
Which situation is most suitable for saying 'My oh my'?
Choose one answer.
'My oh my' expresses surprise or mild shock, often with admiration. It is not used for anger, formal instructions, or polite requests.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “my oh my”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.