Jesus

come to Jesus

1. Literally, to accept Jesus Christ as one's savior. An inspirational homily sparked my come to Jesus moment, and I've been a Christian ever since.
2. A phrase used to describe a persuasive conversation aimed at getting the listener to change (and, often, to stop doing something negative or self-destructive). When my parents found out that Jack was doing drugs, they sat him down for a come to Jesus talk, in the hopes that they could get him to agree to rehab. After months of poor performance, the boss is calling Janet in for a come to Jesus meeting.
See also: come, Jesus

come-to-Jesus meeting

1. A spiritual meeting in which participants are encouraged to repent their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their savior. I've told her that I am an avid atheist, but she still insists on me attending one of her come-to-Jesus meetings.
2. Any meeting in which a frank, often unpleasant, conversation is held so as to bring to light and/or resolve some issue at hand. Boys, we're going to have a come-to-Jesus meeting about the drugs I found in the house, and if no one tells me the truth, then you're both going to get a whooping. The boss called us in for a real come-to-Jesus meeting about our sales for this quarter.
See also: meeting

come-to-Jesus moment

1. A moment when one chooses to accept Jesus Christ as one's savior and follow the Christian faith. I had something of a come-to-Jesus moment after my car crash last month.
2. A moment of epiphany, enlightenment, or intuition regarding the truth of a matter. I had something of a come-to-Jesus moment after college when I realized that I wanted to be an editor for a living.
3. A point in time in which fundamental priorities and/or beliefs are challenged, reassessed, or reaffirmed. After waking up in the hospital from a drug overdose, I had a frightening come-to-Jesus moment about what I was doing with my life. The political party needs to have a real come-to-Jesus moment and decide who they are and what they stand for as a whole.
4. Any moment or meeting in which a frank, often unpleasant, conversation is held so as to bring to light and/or resolve some issue at hand. Boys, we're going to have a come-to-Jesus moment about the drugs I found in the house, and if no one tells me the truth then you're both going to get a whooping. The boss called us in for a real come-to-Jesus moment about our sales for this quarter.
See also: moment

Jesus boots

slang Sandals. I've got one friend who always wears cargo shorts and Jesus boots, even if it's freezing cold outside. A: "Ouch! I really smashed my toe!" B: "Well, that's why you don't wear Jesus boots on a bicycle, you dummy!"
See also: boot, Jesus

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!

An exclamation of shock, surprise, or exasperation. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Don't sneak up on me like that—you scared me half to death! I mean, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Does my boss expect me to be on the clock 24 hours a day?
See also: and

jumping Jesus on a pogo stick

rude slang An expression of shock, exasperation, or dismay. Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick, what are you talking about? Your argument is so ridiculous, I don't even know where to start! A: "Boo!" B:"Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick—don't scare me like that!"
See also: Jesus, jump, on, stick

make (the) baby Jesus cry

To be offensive, immoral, unethical, in poor taste, etc., as might cause or provoke the displeasure or disapproval of Jesus Christ. I try not to use vulgar language, as my mother told me at a young age that it makes baby Jesus cry. You're making the baby Jesus cry every time you lie to your parents!
See also: baby, cry, Jesus, make

Sweet Jesus!

An exclamation of alarm, amazement, or exasperation. (Could be considered blasphemous to some.) Sweet Jesus, I thought that car was going to hit me! Oh, sweet Jesus, could you work any slower?
See also: sweet

sweet Mary, mother of Jesus

An exclamation of alarm, amazement, or exasperation. (Could be considered blasphemous or offensive to some.) Sweet Mary, mother of Jesus, I thought that car was going to hit me! Oh, sweet Mary, mother of Jesus—could you work any slower?
See also: Jesus, mother, of, sweet

what would Jesus do

A reminder to act as Jesus Christ would. It is sometimes abbreviated as "WWJD." Whenever you're faced with temptation, just think: what would Jesus do? Don't exclude the new kids. Come on, what would Jesus do?
See also: Jesus, what
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

Jesus boots

n. sandals. (Use caution with Jesus in profane senses.) Jesus boots are okay in the summer.
See also: boot, Jesus
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • come to Jesus
  • come-to-Jesus moment
  • WWJD
  • what would Jesus do
  • come-to-Jesus meeting
  • Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
  • Judas
  • Judas kiss
  • a Judas kiss
  • Sweet Jesus!
References in classic literature
"So you see, dear friends," she went on, "Jesus spent his time almost all in doing good to poor people; he preached out of doors to them, and he made friends of poor workmen, and taught them and took pains with them.
So then, all the love that Jesus showed to the poor is the same love that God has for us.
"But let us see a little more about what Jesus came on earth for.
She had a terrified sense that God, whom she had always thought of as very far off, was very near to her, and that Jesus was close by looking at her, though she could not see him.
And Jesus, who stands ready to help you now, won't help you then; because you won't have him to be your Saviour, he will be your judge.
"Dear friends, come and take this blessedness; it is offered to you; it is the good news that Jesus came to preach to the poor.
Adam Bede
"Then when Mary was come where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, Lord if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
"When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled,
"Jesus therefore again groaning in Himself cometh to the grave.
"Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me.
"Then many of the Jews which came to Mary and had seen the things which Jesus did believed on Him."
Crime And Punishment
If that poor Atkins begins but once to talk seriously of Jesus Christ to his wife, he will assuredly talk himself into a thorough convert, make himself a penitent, and who knows what may follow."
Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
Beneath a roof worthy of the stable wherein Jesus Christ was born, the hardest duties of motherhood were fulfilled cheerfully and without consciousness of merit.
The Country Doctor
"Well, then," cried Lucas, "and why should Jesus have nothing to do with his church--why should his words and his life be of no authority among those who profess to adore him?
Jungle