# heaven forbid

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/heaven-forbid
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

May heaven forbid it: expresses the desire that something does not happen.

## Examples

- Heaven forbid you lose your keys again.
- We should check the weather report, because heaven forbid it rains during our outdoor wedding ceremony.
- He kept his secret hidden, for heaven forbid the truth should ever reach his family and destroy their long-standing reputation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.