phew

phew — exclamation

1. said when a danger, hard task, or worrying moment is over, and you can relax aga

1.感嘆詞A2
釋義

said when a danger, hard task, or worrying moment is over, and you can relax again.

例句

Phew, the storm missed our village and the boats came back safely.

Phew, + clause after danger passes

After the final interview, Nina whispered, "Phew, that's finally over."

quoted relief after a stressful event

同義詞
  • whew

    the same reaction word with a different spelling, especially in American English

  • thank goodness

    more verbal and more clearly expresses gratitude

  • what a relief

    usually comes after the reaction rather than replacing it completely

反義詞
  • oh no

    used when bad news arrives instead of when danger has passed

文法句型

Phew, + clause of relief

"Phew!" + when danger or stress ends

用法筆記

Often followed by a short comment such as 'that's over' or 'we made it'. Distinguish from sense 3: this use comes after the worry ends, not while the physical discomfort is still happening.

常見錯誤

❌Phew, I will pass the test tomorrow.
✅Phew, I passed the test.
💡use it when the worry has just ended, not for a future result.
❌I phew when the plane landed.
✅I said "phew" when the plane landed.
💡use 'phew' as a spoken reaction, not as the main verb.

2. said when a smell reaches you and feels very unpleasant.

2.感嘆詞A2
釋義

said when a smell reaches you and feels very unpleasant.

例句

Phew, that fish bag smells awful in the back seat.

Phew, + direct reaction to a smell

Mina opened the gym locker and said, "Phew, those socks stink."

quoted reaction naming the source of the smell

同義詞
  • ugh

    shows disgust more generally, not only at smells

  • yuck

    stronger and more childlike or playful

  • ew

    brief spoken reaction to something dirty or disgusting

文法句型

Phew, + comment on a bad smell

say "phew" after smelling something unpleasant

用法筆記

Usually followed by words that identify the source of the smell, such as socks, fish, cheese, or a bin. Distinguish from sense 3: if the problem is heat or stuffy air rather than odor, use sense 3.

常見錯誤

❌Phew, your soup tastes great.
✅Mmm, your soup tastes great.
💡this use of 'phew' is negative and reacts to a bad smell.
❌The room was phew after lunch.
✅The room smelled bad after lunch.
💡use 'phew' as an exclamation, not as an adjective.

3. said when the air feels too warm and your body feels uncomfortable from the heat

3.感嘆詞A2
釋義

said when the air feels too warm and your body feels uncomfortable from the heat.

例句

Phew, this bus has no air and every window is shut.

Phew, + complaint about heat indoors

By noon, Luis wiped his face and said, "Phew, I'm melting."

quoted reaction to strong heat

同義詞
  • whew

    the same interjection in an alternative spelling

  • oof

    can show physical strain or discomfort, often after effort

  • ugh

    can show annoyance at the heat, but is less specifically about temperature

文法句型

Phew, + comment on heat or stuffy air

say "phew" after physical discomfort from heat

用法筆記

Often heard in hot rooms, crowded buses, or after hard movement in warm weather. Distinguish from sense 1: here the discomfort is still continuing, instead of having just ended.

常見錯誤

❌Phew, the water is cold today.
✅Brr, the water is cold today.
💡this sense is for heat, not for cold weather or cold water.
❌I felt phew after running.
✅I said "phew" after running.' / 'I felt hot after running.
💡use 'phew' for the spoken reaction, not for the feeling itself.