God knows
Idioms-
Also, goodness knows; heaven knows.
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Truly, certainly, definitely, as in God knows I need a winter coat . This expression, which originated about 1300 as God wot , does not necessarily imply that God is all-knowing but merely emphasizes the truth of the statement it accompanies. The variants using goodness and heaven are euphemisms that avoid taking God's name in vain. [Second half of 1500s]
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Also, God only knows . Only God knows, that is, neither I nor anyone else knows, as in God knows where I've stored those photos , or God only knows how many people will join the march . [Second half of 1500s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The biggest comedy stars in the world will be performing a mix of stand-up, variety show antics and God knows what else, dressed in classy formal wear you don’t often see at a comedy show.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
God knows he’d have been blamed had the high-risk mission failed.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
"It's ruined my life - we're going to be in debt for God knows how long paying it off," she says.
From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026
“The movie feels very relevant to that theme. God knows, people aren’t always willing to be tolerant.”
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2025
They could hear the diesel engine out on the road, running on God knows what.
From "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
