Lord willing and the creek don't rise
Barring unforeseen circumstances.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I will see you tomorrow, Lord willing and the creek don't rise.”
“We plan to finish the garden project by Saturday, Lord willing and the creek don't rise.”
“The family intends to gather for the annual reunion in July, Lord willing and the creek don't rise, provided no emergencies interfere with their travel plans.”
The phrase is a modern extension of the ancient religious formula *God willing* or *Lord willing*, expressions of pious submission to divine providence. It appends a secondary, secular condition to the primary theological one: that the traveler should not only be permitted by God to proceed but also be physically capable of crossing the landscape.
The reference to the creek is a matter of practical geography, alluding to the tendency of small watercourses to flood after heavy rain and render travel impossible. While the term is occasionally re-interpreted as a reference to the Creek tribe, the phrase in its standard form records the humble inconveniences of 19th-century infrastructure. One might receive the blessing of the Lord to attend a meeting, only to find the local geography has other plans.
- 01
and I don't mean maybe
Indicating that one is serious and not joking about a matter.
- 02
don't call me sir, I work for a living
Used by senior enlisted military personnel to indicate that they are not commissioned officers.
- 03
don't call us, we'll call you
A stereotypical statement from a hiring organization to a potential candidate, suggesting that the candidate will not be hired.
- 04
don't drop the soap
Used as a mockery to someone who is about to be or should be confined in prison.
- 05
don't get someone started
Used to attempt to avoid or abbreviate a discussion that speaker or hearer may wish to avoid.
- 06
don't give up your day job
Somewhat sarcastic but usually good-natured advice used to criticise a person's degree of talent (especially in music or other performing arts), implying that they are unlikely to be successful.
- 07
don't go there
Do not broach that topic.
- 08
don't hold your breath
Don't wait. Said cynically to suggest that what has just been mentioned is unlikely to happen soon or at all.
Last updated August 10, 2026