perish the thought
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Don't even think of it. This expression is used as a wish that what was just mentioned will never happen. For example, He's going to give another speech? Perish the thought! This phrase appeared in Handel's oratorio Joshua (1748; text by Thomas Morell): “It never shall be said that our allies in vain implor'd our aid. Perish the thought!” Also see god forbid.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
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Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Words nearby perish the thought
periscopic, perish, perishable, perished, perishing, perish the thought, perisperm, perispomenon, perispore, perissodactyl, peristalith
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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