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# for pete's sake

exclamation (phrase: for Pete's sake!; capital P usually)

«for pete'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 or impatience; a softer form of «for God's sake».
2. (pleading) makes a request stronger: «For Pete's sake, hurry up!»

### In the lessons

A gentle, family-friendly exclamation; «Pete» is probably a stand-in for Saint Peter or just a soft sound to avoid saying God. Everyday, mainly US and Canada, also UK; heard in cartoons and from parents.

### Examples

- For Pete's sake, tie your shoelaces!
- Oh, for Pete's sake, the Wi-Fi's down again.
- For Pete's sake, stop arguing, you two.
- "For Pete's sake, Charlie," sighed Lucy.
- Will you just listen, for Pete's sake?
- For Pete's sake, it's only a little spider.
- The coach yelled, "Run, for Pete's sake!"
- Nobody knows who Pete is, but people say "for Pete's sake" all the time.

### Note

Trap: there is no real Pete; do not look for one. Very mild and acceptable at home and in school speech. Usually written with a capital P: Pete's. Plain meaning: «come on!»