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# goodness knows

phrase (exclamation and clause: goodness knows; also «heaven knows», «God knows» — stronger, «who knows»)

«goodness knows» 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) nobody knows; I have no idea: «Goodness knows where he's gone».
2. (emphasis) certainly, really: «Goodness knows I've tried».

### In the lessons

A polite replacement for «God knows», used by people who don't want to use God's name casually; polite, everyday, all regions, a little old-fashioned.

### Examples

- Goodness knows where I put my glasses.
- Goodness knows how the cat got on the roof.
- "When will the bus come?" "Goodness knows."
- Goodness knows I've tried to teach him to tidy up.
- Goodness knows what's in this soup.
- Goodness knows why she said that.
- Goodness knows, we need a holiday.
- The answer to that riddle? Goodness knows!

### Note

Trap: «goodness» stands for God; it is mild and safe. Two meanings: «nobody knows» or «truly». Plain words: no idea; really.