big yikes means An intensified "yikes" — reserved for cringeworthy, awkward, or morally questionable moments that need extra emphasis. It's mostly used in casual online conversation. It's casual and generally safe with friends and online. It's standard online vocabulary; nothing inherently concerning about hearing it.
big yikes
An intensified "yikes" — reserved for cringeworthy, awkward, or morally questionable moments that need extra emphasis.
bɪɡ jaɪksDocumented since 2010s2010sGen ZtrendingCurrent626 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026＋ Add a definition
Etymology timeline
Born ~2010 · 1 year of recorded useSeen in the wild
Definitions
Global
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#1·Apr 23, 2026GlobalCasual
An intensified "yikes" — reserved for cringeworthy, awkward, or morally questionable moments that need extra emphasis. "Yikes" alone won't cover it. "Big yikes" is a verdict.
See it in action
“Big yikes. The devs didn’t disclose anything on the steam page either, this was them just answering a question someone asked.”
"He posted a thirst trap on his LinkedIn. Big yikes."
Origin: Internet / meme culture; spread via Twitter, Tumblr, and TikTok from the 2010s onward.
For parents
big yikes means An intensified "yikes" — reserved for cringeworthy, awkward, or morally questionable moments that need extra emphasis. It's mostly used in casual online conversation. It's casual and generally safe with friends and online. It's standard online vocabulary; nothing inherently concerning about hearing it.
For ESL learners
"big yikes" is slang. It means: An intensified "yikes" — reserved for cringeworthy, awkward, or morally questionable moments that need extra emphasis. Register: casual. Use it in: casual conversation and online posts. Avoid in: formal writing and professional emails.
Cluster: disapproval
Heard in the wild
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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🌐About Internet & Memes slang
Viral internet speak — memes, ratios, main-character moments, and the algospeak of every platform from Twitter to Reddit to TikTok comment sections.
See all Internet & Memes slang on Slangora.
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Other words near "big yikes" (B)
big upbig wheelbig white telephonebig whoopBig Willybig woopbihbih arcbih checkbih codedbih corebih energy
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