act of God
(law) an event caused by natural forces beyond human control, such as a storm, a flood or an earthquake
act of God
(law) an event caused by natural forces beyond human control, such as a storm, a flood or an earthquake
by God!
(old-fashioned, informal) used to emphasize a feeling of surprise or that you are determined to do something
for the love of God
(old-fashioned, informal) used when you are expressing anger and the fact that you are impatient
For the love of God, tell me what he said!
God | God almighty | God in heaven | good God | my God | oh (dear) God
(informal) used to emphasize what you are saying when you are surprised, shocked or annoyed
God, what a stupid thing to do!
God bless
used when you are leaving somebody, to say that you hope they will be safe, etc.
Goodnight, God bless.
God/Heaven forbid (that…)
(informal) used to say that you hope that something will not happen
‘Maybe you'll end up as a lawyer, like me.’ ‘God forbid!’
God/Heaven help somebody
(informal) used to say that you are afraid somebody will be in danger or that something bad will happen to them
God help us if this doesn't work.
God/goodness/Heaven knows (informal)
God rest his/her soul | God rest him/her
(old-fashioned, informal) used to show respect when you are talking about somebody who is dead
God’s gift (to somebody/something)
(ironic) a person who thinks that they are particularly good at something or who thinks that somebody will find them particularly attractive
He seems to think he's God's gift to women.
God willing
(informal) used to say that you hope that things will happen as you have planned and that there will be no problems
I'll be back next week, God willing.
Heaven/God forfend (that)…
(humorous or old use) used to say that you are frightened of the idea of something happening
Heaven forfend that students are encouraged to think!
honest to God/goodness
used to emphasize that what you are saying is true
Honest to God, Mary, I'm not joking.
in God’s/Heaven’s name | in the name of God/Heaven
used especially in questions to show that you are angry, surprised or shocked
What in God's name was that noise?
Where in the name of Heaven have you been?
in the lap of the gods
if the result of something is in the lap of the gods, you do not know what will happen because it depends on luck or things you cannot control
a man of God/the cloth
(old-fashioned, formal) a religious man, especially a priest or a clergyman
play God
to behave as if you control events or other people’s lives
It is unfair to ask doctors to play God and end someone's life.
please God
used to say that you very much hope or wish that something will happen or not happen
Please God, don't let him be dead.
put the fear of God into somebody
to make somebody very frightened, especially in order to make them do something
so help me (God)
used to swear that what you are saying is true, especially in a court of law
thank God/goodness/heaven(s) (for something)
used to say that you are pleased about something
Thank God you're safe!
‘Thank goodness for that!’ she said with a sigh of relief.
Thank heavens I've found my keys.
there but for the grace of God (go I)
(saying) used to say that you could easily have been in the same difficult or unpleasant situation that somebody else is in
to God/goodness/Heaven
used after a verb to emphasize a particular hope, wish, etc.
I wish to God you'd learn to pay attention!
ye gods!
(old-fashioned, informal) used to show surprise, lack of belief, etc.