perish the thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"perish the thought" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express disbelief or shock at a certain idea or suggestion. It is often used in a sarcastic or humorous tone. Example: "You want me to wear a bright pink tutu to the party? Perish the thought!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Perish the thought," Susan said.

The New Yorker

Perish the thought, Mr. Bandier says.

The New York Times

Perish the thought – says JP Morgan.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perish the thought, the New York archdiocese says.

The New York Times

Perish the thought, says a man in the chief rabbinate.

The Economist

No, we will not close your branches: perish the thought.

The Economist

"We're not fucking Magic Radio!" Perish the thought.

Independent

Perish the thought that he would show it though.

Independent

Perish the thought that Verhoeven's a safe pair of hands.

The Guardian - Film

The EU has not absorbed Britain or France (perish the thought).

The Economist

Perish the thought -these are just explanatory photos of extramural culinary procedures Restaurant food?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perish the thought" to express a strong hope that something undesirable will not happen. It's often used sarcastically or humorously.

Common error

Avoid using "perish the thought" in serious or formal contexts where a lighthearted or sarcastic tone is inappropriate. The phrase is best suited for informal conversations or writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "perish the thought" is as an interjectional phrase. It expresses a sudden feeling or reaction, typically of strong aversion or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to express disbelief or shock at a certain idea or suggestion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Reference

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Perish the thought" is a common idiomatic phrase used to express a strong desire that something undesirable should not happen. As Ludwig AI indicates, it often carries a tone of sarcasm or disbelief. Grammatically correct and frequently found in News & Media, its usage extends to more informal contexts. While alternatives like "heaven forbid" or "god forbid" exist, "perish the thought" uniquely blends aversion and humor. Remember to consider the tone. With a source quality score of 89 and an expert rating of 4.5, its consistent application across reputable sources underscores its validity and utility in the English language. It is a potent tool for injecting emotion into writing, but always consider if its use is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heaven forbid

Similar in expressing a strong wish against something happening, but with a more religious connotation.

god forbid

Expresses a strong desire to prevent something bad from occurring, similar to "heaven forbid".

far be it from me

Indicates reluctance to do something, often implying it's undesirable.

i hope not

A simpler, more direct expression of wishing something isn't true or won't happen.

let's hope not

Expresses a collective wish that something undesirable does not occur.

i shudder to think

Expresses strong aversion to contemplating a particular possibility.

that's unthinkable

Emphasizes the impossibility or unacceptability of something.

i'd hate to think

Expresses dislike for a particular idea or possibility.

worst-case scenario

Focuses specifically on the most negative possible outcome.

on no account

Emphasizes that something should absolutely not be done or allowed.

FAQs

How can I use "perish the thought" in a sentence?

Use "perish the thought" to express that you strongly hope something will not happen. For example, "You think they might cancel the event? "Perish the thought"!"

What does "perish the thought" actually mean?

"Perish the thought" is an idiomatic expression meaning that you strongly hope something will not happen or that you find a suggestion undesirable or shocking.

Are there any alternatives to using "perish the thought"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "heaven forbid", "god forbid", or "I hope not", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "perish the thought" a formal or informal expression?

"Perish the thought" is generally considered an informal expression and is best suited for casual conversation or writing. More formal situations might require a more direct and less idiomatic phrasing.