perish the thought

Idioms

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.

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.

Is it about her dead mother, perish the thought?

From Washington Post • Feb. 3, 2019

I changed shafts three more times in quick succession simply to perish the thought.

From Golf Digest • Feb. 6, 2017

She said there's nothing improper — or, perish the thought, unethical — about paying membership dues to an entity that also decides which self-nominated companies are the most ethical in the world.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2014

Or — perish the thought — engaging in personal time.

From Salon • Jun. 24, 2012

But perish the thought that she'd spoken in fun!

From With the Colors Songs of the American Service by Appleton, Everard Jack

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023