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# for heaven's sake

exclamation (phrase: for heaven's sake!; also «for heaven's sakes» US, «for goodness' sake», «for God's sake» — stronger)

«for heaven's sake» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (mild exclamation) shows annoyance, impatience or surprise.
2. (pleading) makes a request stronger and more urgent: «For heaven's sake, be careful!»

### In the lessons

A softer form of «for God's sake», used by people who don't want to use God's name loosely; polite, a little old-fashioned, all regions. Common among parents, grandparents and in books.

### Examples

- For heaven's sake, stop shouting!
- Oh, for heaven's sake, the cat's knocked the vase over.
- For heaven's sake, put your coat on, it's freezing.
- What did you do that for, for heaven's sake?
- For heaven's sake, don't tell Mum.
- Grandma said, "For heaven's sake, child, eat your vegetables."
- For heaven's sake, it's just a spelling test.
- "For heaven's sake, be careful near the road!"

### Note

Trap: not a real prayer or about heaven; it just shows strong feeling. Milder than «for God's sake», which some people find offensive. Plain meaning: «please!» or «I'm annoyed».