Whoa, Nellie!
Whoa, Nellie!
1. cliché Said to any person, thing, or animal (especially a horse) that one is trying to get under control or coax into slowing down. "Whoa, Nellie!" he shouted as the bucking bronco tossed him to and fro. A: "Whoa, Nellie! Just cool your jets, big guy!" B: "Get off of me! I didn't do anything wrong!"
2. An exclamation of surprise or astonishment, especially when something is more intense than one expected. Whoa, Nellie. Now that is one strong drink you fixed me! A: "Whoa, Nellie. I think I need to sit down for a minute!" B: "A bit of a tougher hike than you were expecting, huh?"
Whoa, Nelly!
An exclamation of surprise. The phrase is generally thought to have originated as a command to slow down a horse (wherein "Nelly" is the horse's name). They're engaged already? Whoa, Nelly! Whoa, Nelly—what is going on in here?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
Whoa, Nellie!
Rur. Wait! Stop! Tom: When I get that money, I'm gonna get me my own place, and then you and I can get married, and—Jane: Whoa, Nellie! When did I say I was going to marry you? Whoa, Nellie! Did you measure them boards before you started cuttin' 'em?
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
Whoa!
(wo) exclam. Stop! (Said to a horse or any person or thing.) You’ve gone about far enough. Whoa!
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- a sight to behold
- be careful what you wish for(, it might (just) come true)
- strong silent type
- strong, silent type
- the strong, silent type
- Do you know who I am?
- Don't you know who I am?
- do not try this at home
- (Do) (you) come here often?
- it's all Greek to me