bless you

(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!
2. A phrase wishing God's blessings upon someone. We will never forget your help. God 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."
See also: bless
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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

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.
See also:
  • (God) bless you
  • bless
  • bless you, him, etc.
  • gods bless you
  • if ifs and ands were pots and pans
  • great minds
  • great minds think alike
  • (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
  • a penny for them
  • but for the grace of God
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
I Bless You
"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.
Blessing
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.
Akedah 5760
"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.
A blessed life