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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.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern

synonyms: well done, good for you, proud of you, you did good
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Good on you' is another one I've heard since I was growin' up. You can still hear it out in the country. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Good on you' is another one I've heard since I was growin' up. You can still hear it out in the country. 

Pronunciation

[guhd-OWN-yuh, guhd-OWN-ye]
/ɡʊd ˈoʊn jə/ , /ɡʊd ˈoʊn ji/

Meaning & Usage

- To express approval or praise (idiomatic saying)

June:
I passed my test!
Mama:
Well good-OWN-ye - I knew you would!
variations: good on ya, good on ye, good-on-you
★ A little grin and a nod make it twice the compliment. ★

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

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Is this originally Southern?
Probable Irish/Scots-Irish roots - now a living part of rural Southern English.
Does it ever sound sarcastic?
Rarely - it’s almost always sincere praise.
Is it the same as "good for you"?
The meaning overlaps, but good on you sounds warmer and more encouraging in Southern use.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 29). Good on You. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/good-on-you
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Good on You." HillbillySlang.com, 29 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/good-on-you.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Good on You." HillbillySlang.com. October 29, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/good-on-you.
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