---
title: "big yikes · GenZ Decoded"
description: "big yikes: A reaction to something very awkward, embarrassing, or cringeworthy. Example: \"He texted his ex again? Big yikes.\" Meaning and usage."
url: "https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/big-yikes/"
lang: "en"
image: "https://genzdecoded.com/og/default.jpg"
---

# big yikes

Gen Z[#reaction](https://genzdecoded.com/slang-for/reaction/)

**Meaning.** A reaction to something very awkward, embarrassing, or cringeworthy.

See it in a sentence

He texted his ex again? Big yikes.

## How each generation says it

The closest equivalent for this idea in every generation.

- Gen Z · this one

    big yikes,[cringe](https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/cringe/)

- Gen Alpha

    No word for this one yet.

- Millennial

    [fail](https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/fail/)

- Gen X

    No word for this one yet.

- Boomer

    [what a drag](https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/what-a-drag/)

- Plain English

    reaction to something very awkward, embarrassing, or cringeworthy

// the shop [Shop LOST IN TRANSLATION shirts and hoodies for families who speak two kinds of slang](https://genzdecoded.com/shop/)

## Related slang

- [bait used to be believable](https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/bait-used-to-be-believable/): A reply to a post so obviously made to provoke people that it is not even convincing, meaning nice try, nobody is falling for that.
- [big deal](https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/big-deal/): A sarcastic response meaning something is not impressive.
- [cool story, bro](https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/cool-story-bro/): A sarcastic response implying a story or complaint is unimpressive.
- [diabolical](https://genzdecoded.com/dictionary/diabolical/): Shockingly extreme, outrageous or wild, often about something so bad it is almost impressive.

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