god (redirected from godhood)

be in the lap of the gods

if the result of a situation is in the lap of the gods, you cannot control what will happen. I've sent in my application form and I've sorted out my references so it's in the lap of the gods now.

See also: lap

God rest her/his soul. (old-fashioned)

something that you say when you are talking about someone who is dead, to show that you respect them. My old father - God rest his soul - now he could drink a pint or two.

See also: her, his, rest, soul

a God-given right

if someone thinks they have a God-given right to do something, they think they should be allowed to do it even if other people do not like it. He seems to think he has a God-given right to tell us all what to do. (often + to do something)

See also: right

God/Heaven help someone

1. something that you say in order to warn someone that they may be hurt or punished. Heaven help you if your father catches you wearing his best jacket!

2. something that you say when you are worried about someone who is in a very dangerous or unpleasant situation. God help anyone who has to be outdoors on a dreadful night like this!

See also: heaven, help

honest to God (informal)

something you say in order to emphasize that you are telling the truth. I didn't mean to hurt him, honest to God I didn't!

See also: honest

a man of God (formal)

a male priest, or a very religious man. I don't expect to hear that kind of language from a man of God.

See also: man

play God

to behave as if you have the right to make very important decisions that seriously affect other people's lives. Genetic engineers claim that most countries have already put legislation in place that will stop them from playing God.

See also: play

put the fear of God into someone

to frighten someone very much. What were you doing up on the roof? You put the fear of God into me!

See also: fear

There but for the grace of God (go I).

something that you say which means something bad that has happened to someone else could have happened to you. When you hear about all these people who've lost all this money, you can't help thinking there but for the grace of God go I.

See also: but, grace, there

think you are God's gift to women (humorous)

if a man thinks he is God's gift to women, he thinks he is extremely attractive and that all women love him. He's the most arrogant man I've ever met and he thinks he's God's gift to women. Oh for goodness sake, you really think you're God's gift to women, don't you!

See also: gift, think

a (little) tin god (literary)

someone who behaves as if they are more important or powerful than they really are. Have you seen him over there, acting like a little tin god?

See also: tin

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for God's sake

I am surprised or annoyed by this. For God's sake, Eleanor, what happened to your hair? It's time we started worrying about educating our children, for God's sake. At three-thirty in the morning, for God's sake, my dog decided to have her puppies.

Usage notes: used for emphasis

for crying out loud

for goodness' sake

for Pete's sake

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of for God's sake (= in the name of or for God)

See also: sake

God forbid

I hope it does not happen. If, God forbid, anything should happen to him I might not want to stay here.

Usage notes: also used to suggest that someone would never do something: God forbid they should help someone who isn't paying them for help.

See also: forbid

God rest someone's soul

I hope this person's spirit is at peace. I mean, Walt Disney — God rest his soul — has been dead for some time, but his presence is still so much a part of that company.

Usage notes: said about someone who is dead

See also: rest, soul

honest to God

this is really true. I didn't tell her about the party, honest to God!

Usage notes: also used as a modifier: It was an honest to God mix-up.

See also: honest

play God

to make decisions that effect people's lives, health, or happiness. Doctors are forced to play God on a daily basis. Human cloning is further evidence that people want to play God.

See also: play

put the fear of God into someone

to frighten someone very much. There's no question that this wrestler puts the fear of God into his opponents.

See also: fear

thank God

be pleased or happy. Thank God no one was in the way or on the sidewalk when the bus went out of control. Thank God for John Hopkins — he has been a friend when my family needed friends.

thank goodness

thank heavens

See also: thank