Dear me!

dear me

An expression of surprise or disappointment. Dear me, it seems I've forgotten the casserole I made for tonight's meeting.
See also: dear
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

Dear me!

an expression of mild dismay or regret. Sue: Dear me, is this all there is? Mary: There's more in the kitchen. "Oh, dear me!" fretted John, "I'm late again."
See also: dear
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • dear me
  • dear to (one's) heart
  • an old dear
  • old dear
  • cost (one) dear
  • the dear knows
  • dear
  • ach du lieber
  • lead (one) up the aisle
  • lead someone up the aisle
References in classic literature
Dear me! This is an occasion that makes a man speculate on all he has lost.
'Dear me!' said Traddles, considering about it, 'do I strike you in that way, Copperfield?