perish (redirected from perishing)

perish from something

to die from a particular cause, such as a disease. Nearly all the fish perished from the cold. I was afraid that I would perish from hunger.

perish in something

to die because of involvement in something. Four people perished in the flames. Our cat perished in an accident.

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: thought

perish with something

to feel bad enough to die because of something, such as heat, hunger, etc. (Often an exaggeration.) I was just perishing with hunger when we arrived at the restaurant. Mary felt as if she would perish with the intense heat of the stuffy little room.

publish or perish

Fig. [for a professor] to try to publish scholarly books or articles to prevent getting released from a university or falling into disfavor in a university. (Also occurs as other parts of speech. See the examples.) Alice knew she would have to publish or perish if she took the teaching job. This is a major research university and publish or perish is the order of the day.

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Perish the thought!

something that you say which means you hope very much that something does not happen If his father came to live with us, perish the thought, I can't imagine what strain that would put on our relationship.

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perish the thought

do not even think about it I don't think either parent would ever, perish the thought, tell that kid “no.”

See also: thought