ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bless you

idiom
Meaning

Said to someone who has just sneezed, as a polite remark.


Origin

disputed origin

Short for God bless you, from Middle English God blesse you, God blisse you.

Examples
SIMPLE

She sneezed loudly, and I said bless you.

CONTEXTUAL

When my colleague sneezed during the meeting, everyone turned and said bless you at the same time.

COMPLEX

The old woman, sitting alone in the empty church, sneezed into her handkerchief; the priest paused his reading and quietly said bless you.

Anchors to
Related idioms1entry
  1. 01

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

© 2026 English Reference