Yikes

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Yikes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express surprise, shock, or concern about something that has happened or been said. Example: "Yikes! I can't believe how much that car repair is going to cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She added: "Yikes, I am being reported to Channel 4 and the BBC.

The Guardian

Yikes!Just one more thing, and then I'm off to Yale:It's harder than it looks, don't you agree Exit the ghost.

The Economist

But he delivers his jabs too fast, turning them all into glancing blows.9 31: Yikes.

The Economist

A statement (also in Polish) from the MFA in Warsaw gives more of the details.Update II: YIKES!

The Economist

Yikes, one felt, shoving one's hands deeper into one's pockets.

Independent

A couple of times a month I stop and just think "yikes! this is utter magic".

Independent

There's a wonderful moment in "Novacane" when Frank, reminiscing about a toxic (and intoxicated) relationship, sings "Cocaine for breakfast... ...... and the entire audience, knowing their role, shout "Yikes!" Most exciting, however, is the unveiling of new material, raising the enticing prospect that Frank Ocean's qualities – musical and "star" – can only rise from here.

Independent

When one blogger recently compiled her list of the thirty hottest mug shots of men, which she'd drawn from the mug-shot blog hotandbusted, she felt compelled to add "yikes" next to No. 14's charge, domestic violence.

The New Yorker

Only it wasn't a parade; it was the sound the biggest hailstones yet made smashing down on (yikes!) the Ubernicks' Fiesta, the Neillys' trash can, which — oof! — tumped over (as if knocked unconscious) and rolled directly out onto Pine.

The New Yorker

A force-play out put Matsui there in his place, and then, oopsie, over to second on a further Varitek embarrassment, and — yikes!

The New Yorker

Yikes — but it does make the whole process a bit more difficult.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Yikes" sparingly in formal writing. It's best suited for informal contexts where a quick expression of surprise or discomfort is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "Yikes" in professional emails or academic papers. Opt for more formal expressions of concern or surprise, such as "This is concerning" or "This presents a challenge".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Yikes" is that of an interjection. It's used to express a sudden emotion, such as surprise, alarm, or dismay, as seen in various examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The interjection "Yikes" is a common and grammatically correct way to express surprise, shock, or concern. While it's frequently found in informal contexts like news and media, it's generally not suitable for formal or professional writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. When a more formal tone is needed, consider alternatives such as "oh dear" or "how awful". Remember to reserve "Yikes" for casual situations where a quick, emotional reaction is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Oh no

Expresses worry or dismay about a situation, similar to "Yikes" in conveying negative feelings.

Oh dear

Expresses mild concern or surprise, similar to "Yikes" but often more gentle.

That's terrible

Expresses strong disapproval or disappointment, conveying a similar level of negative emotion as "Yikes".

How awful

Communicates strong disapproval or shock about an unpleasant situation.

What a shock

Highlights the surprising and unexpected nature of something, similar to "Yikes" in response to unexpected news.

Good heavens

Indicates surprise or shock, often used in a slightly more formal or old-fashioned way.

My goodness

Indicates surprise or mild shock, often used in a more polite or restrained manner.

That's alarming

Highlights the concerning or disturbing nature of something, more explicitly stating the worry implied by "Yikes".

That's dreadful

Emphasizes the negative and unpleasant nature of something, similar to the dismay conveyed by "Yikes".

I'm shocked

Directly expresses surprise and disbelief, offering a more explicit emotional response.

FAQs

How to use "Yikes" in a sentence?

"Yikes" is typically used as a standalone interjection to express surprise, shock, or concern. For example, "Yikes! That's a huge spider!"

What can I say instead of "Yikes"?

You can use alternatives like "oh dear", "oh no", or "my goodness" depending on the context.

Is "Yikes" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "Yikes" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more professional expressions of concern or surprise.

What's the difference between "Yikes" and "wow"?

"Yikes" often implies a negative surprise or a feeling of discomfort, while "wow" can express positive or neutral surprise.