in the name of God

in the name of God

A phrase of exasperation used to emphasize a question or statement. What in the name of God are you doing in here? The car needs a new engine, but where in the name of God are we going to get the money for it?
See also: god, name, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • (Holy) Mother of God
  • (oh) (my) God!
  • OMG
  • at an unearthly hour
  • at an unearthly/ungodly hour
  • at an ungodly hour
  • Would it kill (someone) to (do something)?
References in periodicals archive
54 See, for example, the way in which a mine should be opened in Biringucci, Proemio: "co'l nome di Dio, et di prospera ventura, facendo benedir dal sacerdote il monte, et tutte le altre officine et battegiar la cava, dedicandola (come si costuma) alla Santissima Trinita, o a nostra Donna, o al nome di qualche altro Santo c'habbiate in devotione, invocando la protettion sua e cosi animosamente darete principio a cavare" ("in the name of God, and of prosperous fortune, having the mountain blessed by a priest, and all the other workshops and baptizing the mine, dedicating it (as is the custom) to the Most Holy Trinity, or to Our Lady, or to the name of some other saint to whom you may have a devotion, invoking their protection and thus, you will make an energetic beginning to your mining").
Abacus and humanism