manna from heaven

Cultural  

1. Food that God gave miraculously to the Israelites in the Exodus, after the food they had brought with them out of Egypt (see also Egypt) had run out. In the Book of Exodus, the Israelites found it one morning after the dew had evaporated: “Upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.”

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manna from heaven Idioms  

1. An unexpected aid, advantage, or assistance, as in After all the criticism in the media, that favorable evaluation was like manna from heaven. This expression alludes to the food (manna) that miraculously appears to feed the Israelites on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land (Exodus 16:15).

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Example Sentences

A few weeks later, a reservation at Camélia in the Arts District presented itself like manna from heaven.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2025

"I can think of three people specifically at this moment in time who it will be manna from heaven to get their debts cleared without having to find the £90 fee."

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2024

But as a person who enjoys marveling at the incredible weirdos who get elected in this country, I have to admit that the George Santos saga was like manna from heaven.

From Slate • Nov. 16, 2023

The story of manna from heaven may have originated from honeydew excreted by sap-sucking insects, Raupp said.

From Washington Post • Aug. 12, 2022

I open my mouth, inhaling deeply—it’s like manna from heaven.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen