ENGLISH
REFERENCE

for Pete's sake

idiom
Meaning

Used to express frustration, exasperation, annoyance

Origin

disputed origin

Euphemistic variant of for Christ's sake, for God's sake; Pete either invoking Saint Peter or influenced by for pity's sake.

Examples
SIMPLE

For Pete's sake, please stop making that noise.

CONTEXTUAL

For Pete's sake, I have told you three times to lock the door before leaving.

COMPLEX

For Pete's sake, after hours of careful preparation, the entire project collapsed due to a simple technical error.

Anchors to
Related idioms5entries
  1. 01

    for fuck's sake

    An expression of anger or frustration.

  2. 02

    for heaven's sake

    Expresses frustration, exasperation, annoyance, or the urgency of an instruction.

  3. 03

    for mercy's sake

    An especially mild oath.

  4. 04

    for pity's sake

    for Pete's sake; An especially mild oath

  5. 05

    fuck's sake

    Ellipsis of for fuck's sake.

Last updated July 12, 2026