perish the thought!

perish the thought

Don't even mention that or think that way! Such a thing would be inconceivable. (Sometimes used humorously or sarcastically.) A: "If something were to ever happen to me, I would want you to go and live your life, perhaps fall in love again" B: "Perish the thought, my love!" Me being disruptive in class? Perish the thought!
See also: perish, thought
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

Perish the thought.

Fig. Do not even consider thinking of such a (negative) thing. 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.
See also: perish, thought
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

perish the thought

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.
See also: perish, thought
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

perish the thought

used, often ironically, to show that you find a suggestion or idea completely ridiculous or unwelcome. informal
1993 Tablet Is he one of those people who file their own press cuttings and who even, perish the thought, write down their own witticisms?
See also: perish, thought
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌperish the ˈthought!

(spoken, often humorous) I hope it will not happen; may it never happen: ‘A picnic is a good idea but what if it rains?’ ‘Perish the thought!’
See also: perish
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

perish the thought

Used to express the wish that one not even think about something.
See also: perish, thought
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

perish the thought

May this never happen, may this never be true. This cliché, an older equivalent of bite your tongue, intends to suppress the very idea of something rather than just its utterance. An early recorded use occurred in Colley Cibber’s 1700 version of Shakespeare’s Richard III, in which a character says “Perish the thought!” (5:5). See also God/heaven forbid.
See also: perish, thought
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • perish the thought
  • don't mention it
  • ed
  • (I) just want(ed) to mention (something)
  • mention
  • bring something up
  • just want to say
  • make mention of
  • make mention of (someone or something)
  • speak of
References in periodicals archive
Those of us of certain age will remember the disaster that was for the railways and so perish the thought! It is hoped the government will dismiss this bid and leave the running of the railways to those companies who are the experts at it.
Hands off railways; MAILBAG
And none of our still-so-rich bankers are crying wolf about taking their bat, ball and bad habits out of the country, perish the thought!
Worthless pearl of IMF wisdom; viewpoint
Westminster is a complete turn-off for many of us, as for voting for it, perish the thought! TREFOR DAVIES Llanfrothen, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd
Westminster turn-off; LETTERS
Of course, everyone concerned has acted within the standards of public probity, and no intention to deceive the public is implied - perish the thought!
At what cost to the public? VIEWPOINTS
A reliable backup system will provide advanced RAID features like mirrored configuration (RAID1+0), hot spares and automatic restoration after (perish the thought!) a disk failure.
Backup storage appliances come of age
That in itself is bad enough, but now we are being threatened with them opening more tracks; perish the thought! No wonder owners and trainers are leaving the sport in droves.
AN OWNERS VIEW: Why McKenna case mustn't become norm
Perish the thought! for the 2008 legacy by the setting up of Culture Collective, again using OPM.
Culture success - and other people's money
If we are not mindful, we could see the end of great British bangers, and bacon as we know it, not to mention crispy crackling covered roasts - perish the thought!
FOOD: why it pays to buy locally