perish the thought

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English

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Etymology

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Equivalent to "[may] the thought perish", with the verb in the subjunctive mood followed by its subject.

Phrase

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perish the thought

  1. May the thought perish; said of an idea or suggestion that is deeply undesirable.
    • 1885, Horatio Alger, chapter 13, in Hector's Inheritance:
      What! was he to lose his hold over these boys, and that because he was unable to cope with a boy much smaller and younger than himself? Perish the thought!
    • 2007 June 22, Grace Dent, The Guardian, G2, p. 3:
      According to industry gossips, Richard and Judy may soon go their separate ways. Not maritally; no, perish the thought.

See also

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References

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