for Pete's sake!

Variant of sake

sake definition

sake (sāk)

noun

  1. purpose or reason; motive; cause for the sake of harmony
  2. advantage; behalf; benefit for my sake

Etymology: ME < OE sacu, cause or suit at law, contention, akin to Ger sache, thing, affair < IE base *sāg-, to investigate > seek, L sagire, to perceive, find, sagax, sharply discerning

sake Idioms

for heaven's sake!

or for gosh sake! or for Pete's sake!
a mild exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments


Do you have more to add? Sign in to share your linguistic knowledge or observation.

Connect with Facebook