ENGLISH
REFERENCE

I'll be

idiom
Meaning

Expressing surprise.


Origin

disputed origin

Presumably short for I'll be damned via anapodoton.

Examples
SIMPLE

Well, I'll be! You actually finished the project early.

CONTEXTUAL

When he saw his old friend walk into the room unexpectedly, he exclaimed, "Well, I'll be!"

COMPLEX

Upon discovering that the long-lost manuscript had been hidden in the attic all these years, the professor whispered, "Well, I'll be."

Anchors to
Related idioms6entries
  1. 01

    I'll be a monkey's uncle

    Often preceded by well: expressing complete surprise or disbelief.

  2. 02

    I'll be bound

    An expression of surprise.

  3. 03

    I'll be damned

    An expression of surprise.

  4. 04

    I'll be danged

    An expression of surprise.

  5. 05

    I'll say

    Used to indicate emphatic agreement

  6. 06

    I'll tell you

    Synonym of I can tell you.

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