Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/shut-the-front-door/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / shut the front door

# shut the front door

phrase (exclamation; also "shut the front door!")

«shut the front door» 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. (humorous, US) an exclamation of great surprise or disbelief, like "no way!" or "you're kidding!", used instead of a much ruder phrase that starts the same way.
2. literally, an order to close the main door of a house.

### In the lessons

Used in American casual talk and TV comedy as a clean stand-in for a rude exclamation; humorous, US. Safe to say, but people may hear the rude phrase behind it.

### Examples

- "I won the competition!" "Shut the front door! Really?"
- "Shut the front door, it's cold!" Mum shouted.
- My aunt says "shut the front door" when she's amazed.
- "The teacher's getting married?" "Shut the front door!"
- The TV chef shouted "shut the front door!" when he tasted the cake.
- Please shut the front door when you come in.

### Note

Two senses: surprise or a real door. As an exclamation it does not ask anyone to close a door. It is a "minced oath": a polite form of a rude phrase.