ENGLISH
REFERENCE

for pity's sake

idiom
Meaning

for Pete's sake; An especially mild oath

Examples
SIMPLE

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

CONTEXTUAL

For pity's sake, just tell me the truth so we can finish this conversation.

COMPLEX

For pity's sake, he thought, could the committee not reach a decision before the sun set on their final opportunity?

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 Pete's sake

    Used to express frustration, exasperation, annoyance

  5. 05

    fuck's sake

    Ellipsis of for fuck's sake.

Last updated July 12, 2026