perish the thought

perish the thought {v. phr.}

Let us not even think of it; may it never come true. — Used as an exclamation.

If John fails the college entrance exam — perish the thought — he will go back to high school for one more year.

Perish the thought that Mary should have cancer.

Compare: GOD FORBID.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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God forbid

[God forbid] {interj.} May God prevent (something from happening); I hope that will not happen or is not true. * /Someone told the worried mother that her son might have […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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[thought] See: [FOOD FOR THOUGHT], [PENNY FOR ONE'S THOUGHTS], [PERISH THE THOUGHT], [SECOND THOUGHT]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

second thought

[second thought] {n.} A change of ideas or opinions resulting from more thought or study. * /Your second thoughts are very often wiser than your first ideas./ * /We decided […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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[think better of] {v.} To change your mind about; to consider again and make a better decision about. * /John told his mother he wanted to leave school, but later […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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