Big yikes is a Gen Z catchphrase that signals epic cringe, secondhand embarrassment, or a jaw-dropping fail.
Originating on TikTok and Twitch around 2020–2021, it takes the mild alarm of “yikes” and cranks it up a notch, perfect for reaction videos, chat responses, and meme captions.
This post decodes what big yikes means, traces its origins, and shows how it’s used today.
Big Yikes In a Nutshell
- Meaning: Extreme embarrassment or cringe, stronger than “yikes.”
- Origin: Emerged in online video and streaming culture (TikTok, Twitch) circa 2020–2021.
- Spread: Fueled by reaction clips, emote spams, and #BigYikes compilations.
- Tone: Playful empathy with a dash of mockery, use sparingly for maximum impact.
- Variants/Alternatives: “Mega yikes,” “yikes x100,” “ultimate yikes.”
What Big Yikes Really Means
Big yikes is a slang phrase used to express shock or embarrassment over a seriously cringe-worthy moment in online chats, like “he spilled coffee – big yikes!!.
It means that something has crossed from mildly awkward into full-on cringe territory. Big Yikes is also the digital equivalent of a collective, secondhand eye-roll, expressed in just two words.
Common usages include:
- Standalone reaction: Big yikes. 😳
- Contextual remark: That typo in the newsletter? Big yikes.
- Empathetic reply: Big yikes, hope they’re okay.
Big yikes is one of the 65 top trending slangs on TikTok right now. Chexk out the 64 other popular TikTok slangs of 2025
Where Did Big Yikes Come From?
- “Yikes” Predecessor
- Longstanding exclamation in comics and speech for mild shock or dismay.
- TikTok & Twitch Adoption (2020–2021)
- Creators added “big” to emphasize particularly cringey moments in reaction videos.
- Viewers spammed big yikes emotes during live-stream blunders.
- Memetic Explosion
- #BigYikes hashtags and compilations on TikTok and YouTube amassed millions of views.
- The phrase migrated to Twitter replies, Reddit comments, and Instagram stories.
- Cultural Resonance
- Marries humor with empathy, reflecting Gen Z’s preference for communal reactions to awkwardness.
How Gen Zs Use Big Yikes Today
- Group Chats & DMs
- Friend: “I sent my boss a meme instead of the report.”
- Reply: “Big yikes.”
- Social-Media Captions
- TikTok: “When your Wi-Fi dies mid-Livestream… big yikes.”
- Twitter: “That plot twist was… big yikes.”
- Memes & Image Macros
- Overlayed on face-palm GIFs or cringe compilations.
- Live-Stream Chats
- Flooded in real time to punctuate on-screen mishaps.
Why Big Yikes Trends So Well
- Instant Clarity: Conveys peak cringe with minimal words.
- Tone Flexibility: Balances teasing mockery and genuine empathy.
- Visual Fit: Works seamlessly in video captions, emotes, and text.
- Community Appeal: Encourages shared reactions in online spaces.
Similar Catchphrases / Alternatives You’ll Hear
- Mega yikes – Intensified cringe reaction.
- Yikes x100 – Quantifies the cringe multiplier.
- Ultimate yikes – Signals maximum embarrassment.
- Big oof – Highlights a painful or unfortunate moment.
- Cringe city – Describes an overwhelmingly awkward scenario.
Read Also: 200 most popular internet slang terms of 2025 – Their meaning, origin and example.
Final Thoughts
Big yikes has earned its place as the go-to Gen Z reaction for truly epic cringe. By blending playful mockery with a touch of empathy, it captures the communal spirit of online commentary.
Next time you spot a spectacular fail, drop big yikes and let the reaction speak for itself.
FAQs
Generally not, it’s more teasing than insulting. Context and tone determine how it’s received.
Yes, while popularized by Gen Z, it translates well across age groups when used authentically.
Big yikes” emphasizes cringe or embarrassment; “big oof” highlights a painful or unfortunate outcome.
About the Author
Agboola John is the founder of SlangWise.com, dedicated to decoding internet lingo one slang term at a time.