holy moly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'holy moly' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an exclamation often used to express surprise or astonishment. For example: "Holy moly! I can't believe I won the lottery!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Holy moly.

The New Yorker

1.45pm GMT Holy moly!

The Guardian - Film

Holy moly, this is ridiculous!

The Guardian - Sport

Holy moly, it's Danny DeVito!

The Guardian - Film

Holy Moly I am not.

The Guardian

"I thought, 'Holy moly,'" Mr. Myrick said.

The New York Times

Holy moly that was a bit exciting.

The Guardian - Sport

Holy moly, a Dardenne car chase!

The New Yorker

Holy moly! (UPDATE: Well, McCain took Missouri in the end.

The Economist

"It was like, holy moly," Andy Potts said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Holy moly!" screamed a chaser, who said debris was falling around him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context; it's generally suitable for casual conversation but may not be appropriate for formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "holy moly" in professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal expressions to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holy moly" primarily functions as an interjection. It is used to express a sudden feeling of surprise, amazement, or shock. According to Ludwig AI, this interjection is commonly used and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "holy moly" is a very common interjection used to express surprise or astonishment. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English, although it's best suited for informal contexts. The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources. For more formal settings, alternatives like "good heavens" or "my goodness" may be more appropriate. Its widespread presence underscores its role as a versatile expression of immediate reaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

holy cow

A very similar expression of surprise, differing primarily in the animalistic exclamation.

holy mackerel

An alternative to "holy moly", replacing "moly" with "mackerel".

wow

A simple and direct expression of surprise or amazement.

oh my gosh

A slightly more emphatic expression of surprise, often used as a substitute for stronger language.

good heavens

A more mild and polite expression of surprise.

my goodness

A more formal and slightly old-fashioned expression of surprise.

good grief

An expression of dismay or surprise, often used humorously.

holy smokes

An older, somewhat antiquated expression of surprise.

jeez

A more casual expression of surprise or annoyance.

blimey

A British slang term expressing surprise or shock.

FAQs

How can I use "holy moly" in a sentence?

"Holy moly" is an interjection used to express surprise or amazement. For example, you might say, "Holy moly! Did you see that shooting star?"

What's a good alternative to "holy moly"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "holy cow", "wow", or "good heavens".

Is "holy moly" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "holy moly" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or informal writing. Use more formal language in academic or professional contexts.

What's the origin of the phrase "holy moly"?

The exact origin is uncertain, but it's believed to be a minced oath, a euphemistic alteration of stronger language to avoid profanity. It's similar in construction to phrases like "holy cow" or "holy smokes".