Big Yikes
Stable🌍UniversalDefinition
An intensified version of 'yikes' — expressing extreme secondhand embarrassment, cringe, or shock at something awkward or bad. 'Yikes' is bad. 'Big yikes' is catastrophic.
Translation for Parents
You know 'yikes'? This is 'yikes' but bigger. It's the response to something truly cringe-worthy or shocking. 'He proposed at her sister's wedding? Big yikes.' You're allowed to use this. You've been saying 'yikes' your whole life.
Examples
“He posted that on his public account??? Big yikes.”
“He posted that publicly??? That's extremely embarrassing/ill-advised.”
“Big yikes energy from that whole situation”
“That entire situation was deeply cringeworthy”
Cringe Score
Safe to use
'Big yikes' is so intuitive that most people don't even realize it's slang. It's just... an amplified yikes. Language doing what language does.
Category
reaction
Peak
2019-06
Last Verified
2026-02-25
Sources
reddit, editorial