Idioms

bless you

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(God) bless you

1. A phrase wishing good health to someone who has just sneezed. God bless you! Do you need a tissue? Bless you! That was a big sneeze! A: "Bless you!" B: "Ugh, thanks. My allergies are so bad right now."

2. A phrase wishing God's blessings upon someone. We will never forget your help. God bless you. The priest placed his hand on the boy's shoulder and said, "God bless you, my child." To everyone who donated supplies for the hurricane victims, bless you.

3. An expression of one's appreciation for another person. In this usage, "God" is not usually used. A: "Here, I got coffee for you too." B: "Oh, bless you! I'm so tired today." You pushed back my 8:00 meeting? Oh, bless you—I really need the extra time to prepare. A: "Are you cold? Here's a blanket." B: "Ah, bless you—I'm freezing!"

See also: bless

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

ˈbless you

1 (spoken) said to somebody after they have sneezed (= made a loud noise through the nose)
2 (old-fashioned) used for expressing thanks or affection: Bless you, my dear. It’s most kind of you to help.

See also: bless

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

bless you

Used to wish good health to a person who has just sneezed.

See also: bless

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

See also:

References in periodicals archive

I bless you with Jonah's behemoth belly abyss, for such bleak

I bless you with oppressive blame of the Azazel goat, as his

I bless you with the bereft pauper's voyage of Ruth and Naomi, for

"May God bless you with anger--at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people and the earth, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

"May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

I will make of you a great nation[ldots] and bless you,[ldots] and all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you." The text does not record Abram's reply, but in the next verse, he's on his way to Canaan.

"It is truly right to bless you, O God-bearing One, as the ever-blessed and immaculate Mother of our God.

The uniqueness of Mary

We would ask for la bendicion (a blessing), and they would say, "Dios te bendiga" (God bless you), signing a cross over our foreheads and kissing us good night.

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