Pronunciation: /bɪɡ jaɪks/
Big yikes is an exaggerated version of “yikes,” used to emphasize a moment that is extremely cringeworthy or embarrassing.
Example Sentence(s):
“That public mistake was a big yikes moment.”
“When he said that out loud, it was a big yikes.”
Origin: Evolving from the simple interjection “yikes,” big yikes became popular on social media in the mid-2010s for moments of heightened embarrassment.
Related Words:
- yikes
- cringe
- oof
Usage: Informal—widely used in online conversations and social media posts.
Popularity Level: Very popular among Gen Z.
First Known Use: Mid-2010s.
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