Meaning & use
sakes alive
Last updated
UK/ˌseɪks əˈlaɪv/
US/ˌseɪks əˈlaɪv/
Meaning
interjectionold-fashionedinformalAmerican
An old-fashioned exclamation showing surprise, shock, or mild annoyance.
Grammar: Used alone, not as part of a sentence; it does not take an object or subject.
Sakes alive, you startled me!
Sakes alive, it's cold out there today!
Well, sakes alive, I never thought I'd see you here.
Common combinations
- sakes alive!
- Sakes alive! Look at that huge dog!
- well, sakes alive
- Well, sakes alive, what are you doing here?
- sakes alive, I never
- Sakes alive, I never heard such a thing.
- oh, sakes alive
- Oh, sakes alive, you scared me half to death!
Synonyms and how they differ
- goodness gracious
- A similar old-fashioned exclamation of surprise, but more common and less regional than 'sakes alive'.
- my goodness
- A milder, more common exclamation of surprise; 'sakes alive' sounds more rural and dated.
- heavens
- Used to express surprise or annoyance, but often considered slightly more formal or literary than 'sakes alive'.
Commonly confused: sakes alive or for goodness' sake?
sakes alive vs for goodness' sake
This phrase expresses annoyance or urgency, not surprise. 'Sakes alive' is an exclamation of surprise.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'sakes alive' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Sakes alive' is an interjection used alone to show surprise. Options B, C, and D treat it as a verb or noun, which is incorrect.
Make it your own
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