bejesus


Also found in: Idioms.

be·je·sus

also be·jee·zus  (bĭ-jē′zəs)
n. Slang
Used euphemistically for intensive effect in idioms such as scare the bejesus out of (someone) for scare (someone) very much.
interj.
Used to express exasperation, annoyance, or surprise.

[Alteration of by Jesus.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

bejesus

(bɪˈdʒeɪzəz)
interj
an exclamation of surprise, emphasis, etc, regarded as a characteristic utterance of Irish people
n
the bejesus (intensifier) used in such phrases as beat the bejesus out of, scare the bejesus out of, etc
[C20: alteration of by Jesus!]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

be•je•sus

(bɪˈdʒi zəs, -ˈdʒeɪ-)

n.
1. dickens: scared the bejesus out of me.
interj.
2. (used as a mild oath.)
[1905–10; by Jesus]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
References in periodicals archive ?
Many of us felt empathy toward a creature that mostly just scares the bejesus out of us.
There under the laurel bush, was a magnificent bird of prey ripping the bejesus out of a very dead ring necked dove.
The team behind this colossal event are calling for all professional performers, budding actors or just people who simply want to be involved in scaring the bejesus out of the Standfirst thousands of guests expected each night, to come and audition.
This beastly looking police car reaches a top speed of 315 km per hour, enough to scare the scare the bejesus out of someone.
During an event for his recent show "The Bejesus" at Concordia University's FOFA Gallery in Montreal, Norvid unraveled a seemingly endless list of numbers before a mortified coterie.
In battle you control up to four Mechwarriors, juggling heat levels, evasive ratings moving faster = harder to hit), upgradable skills and, of course, blasting the bejesus out of the enemy.
In battle you control up to four Mechwarriors, juggling heat levels, evasive ratings (moving faster = harder to hit), upgradable skills and, of course, blasting the bejesus out of the enemy.
In battle you control up to four Mechwarriors, juggling heat levels, evasive ratings (moving faster means harder to hit), upgradable skills and, of course, blasting the bejesus out of the enemy.
That is what how to terrify the bejesus out of you.
Zeta-Jones, 48, said she used her "deadpan, resting face" in the part, adding: "That is how to terrify the bejesus out of you."
Out on iOS and Android, this mobile game won't actually ruin your phone, but it will drain the bejesus out of your battery.
The effectiveness of old and even 'primitive' films to scare the bejesus out of vulnerable and impressionable viewers proves that horror and terror flicks don't have to resort to blood and thunder and twitching, flailing zombies to shock and scare moviegoers-where they live and breathe!