Learn English – Replacement for “God forbid”

phrase-requestsphrases

I wanted to use the phrase "God forbid" the other day, but really wanted to avoid the religious connotations that may come along with it. I was stumped while thinking of a replacement or variation.

I like the way the phrase "flows" or "feels" when interjected like this:

You could do X if, God forbid, Y doesn't happen.

I know "heaven forbid" is common, but that's the type of thing I'm trying to avoid. Are there any similar phrases that could be used in such a way, or even a good replacement word for "God/heaven" which would work here and still sound natural?

Best Answer

Aside from the phrases "God forbid" and "Heaven (or heaven) forbid" which could be construed to have religious connotations, this site suggests perish the thought. On the entry for this phrase, the site writes:

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.

There are further examples here of its use, writing:

If you should become ill—perish the thought—I'd take care of you.

I'm afraid that we need a new car. Perish the thought.

Like "God forbid!", "perish the thought" can be used both parenthetically in the middle of a sentence, and as a phrase more on its own. For your specific example, you could say:

You could do X if, perish the thought, Y doesn't happen.

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