By any means; without careful planning; relying on guesswork and luck. We don't have much to work with, but by guess or by gosh, we're going to figure out a way to save our business! He just throws his essays together by guess or by gosh, but he still manages to get good grades on them.

An exclamation of surprise, shock, frustration, anger, or annoyance. A euphemistic variant of "God almighty." Gosh almighty! If we'd stopped the car one second later that train would have hit us! I know you've had a long day at work, but gosh almighty, is it too much to ask for you to take out the trash? Gosh almighty, it's hot as the dickens out here!

A mild exclamation of surprise, alarm, dismay, annoyance, or exasperation. ("Gosh" here is a substitution for "God," the use of which in an oath can be considered blasphemous.) Gosh, look at the time! How is it nearly midnight already? Oh my gosh! That cyclist nearly hit me! My gosh, Bill! Would it kill you to take out the trash once in a while?

Without careful planning; relying on guesswork and luck. He just throws his essays together by guess and by gosh, but he still manages to get good grades on them.

A mild oath of exasperation, annoyance, frustration, anger, or surprise. Would you let me finish my story, for gosh sakes? Oh for gosh sakes, I just had the car fixed and now you've put a dent in it! For gosh sakes! I haven't seen you in years!