God forbid

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Also, heaven forbid. May God prevent something from happening or being the case. For example, God forbid that they actually encounter a bear, or Heaven forbid that the tornado pulls off the roof. This term, in which heaven also stands for “God,” does not necessarily imply a belief in God's direct intervention but merely expresses a strong wish. [c. 1225] For a synonym, see perish the thought.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Words nearby God forbid

go-devil, Godey, godfather, godfather offer, God-fearing, God forbid, godforsaken, Godfrey, Godfrey of Bouillon, God-given, Godhead

How to use God forbid in a sentence

But God forbid a TV series premieres pushing out gratuitous emotion and gratuitous feeling.
‘Red Band Society’ Is Really Freaking Sad (And May Be TV’s Best New Drama)|Kevin Fallon|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
God forbid that somebody should throw my issue out before I read it.
Hollywood Thinks Journalists Are Sexy Again|Lloyd Grove|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Because God forbid these delicate students should be exposed to an idea or an organization with which they disagree—at college.
The Oh-So-Fragile Class of 2014 Needs to STFU And Listen to Some New Ideas|Olivia Nuzzi|May 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
God forbid Florida students learn about other cultures and religions.
Islamophobic Florida Republican Would Legalize Textbook Censorship|Dean Obeidallah|April 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“God forbid there are still some [people] in that building,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
My Building Exploded. I Survived: Harlem Miracle Man Tells His Story|Michael Daly|March 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I shall not write any more of these diary letters unless there are further acute developments, which God forbid.
The Sinn Fein rebellion As I Saw It.|Mrs. Hamilton Norway
My uncle pretty well too, and she believes would marry again were my aunt dead, which God forbid.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete|Samuel Pepys
God forbid that another quarter century should pass before this is fulfilled.
Silver Chimes in Syria|W. S. Nelson
May God forbid, that after all these years of darkness you should play me false now when the dawn is already lightening the sky.
Mysterious Mr. Sabin|E. Phillips Oppenheim
I must keep a sharp watch, or she'll put poor Indiana's nose quite out of joint, which God forbid.
Camilla|Fanny Burney