Good on You
In Southern speech, especially in the rural Southeast, good on you is a friendly expression of praise meaning "well done" or "good for you." It carries a supportive tone - a neighborly pat on the back.
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'Good on you' is another one I've heard since I was growin' up. You can still hear it out in the country. 'Good on you' is another one I've heard since I was growin' up. You can still hear it out in the country. Pronunciation
/ɡʊd ˈoʊn jə/ , /ɡʊd ˈoʊn ji/
Meaning & Usage
- To express approval or praise (idiomatic saying)
I passed my test!Well good-OWN-ye - I knew you would!Origin and Etymology
Likely rooted in Irish and Scots-Irish English, the expression good on you was carried into the American South by early settlers. It remains in active use in parts of the Southeast, where its distinctive stress pattern on OWN gives it a warm, familiar ring.
Usage Notes
Used in friendly conversation to offer praise, often with family, neighbors, or church folks. The phrase is understood throughout the English-speaking world, but this pronunciation and rhythm are strongly associated with rural Southern speech.
- good-OWN-yuh - most common Alabama/Tennessee delivery
- good-OWN-ye - variant heard in parts of the Southeast
- Shortened forms like ’ood-on-ye occasionally appear in quick talk