English Reference
Idiom idiom

glory be


Used to express surprise.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

Glory be, you actually finished your chores on time.

CONTEXTUAL

Glory be, I never expected to see you at this party after all these years.

COMPLEX

Glory be, the long-lost manuscript appeared on the library shelf just as we had given up hope.


From the first two words in the English version of this doxology.


Related idioms1entry
  1. 01

    in all one's glory

    Completely naked.

Last updated August 10, 2026