perish from (something)
To die from some cause. Most people who die in fires actually perish from smoke inhalation, as opposed to the fire itself.
perish in (something)
To die in a certain circumstance. Four young adults perished in the car accident, a tragedy that has sent shockwaves through the community.
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!
perish with (something)
1. To suffer greatly due to some ailment or discomfort. The poor man was trapped down here and obviously perished with hunger. You'll perish with thirst before you starve to death.
2. By extension, to suffer greatly due to some ailment or discomfort. (Used as hyperbole.) Would you mind if I had a glass of water? I'm perishing with thirst! I thought I would perish with boredom in there!
publish or perish
To either produce consistent published works, especially scholarly articles, or else risk falling into obscurity or disfavor or being released from one's academic institution. I always thought I'd like to be a professor, but because I want to teach and discuss things with students. The fact that you have to publish or perish really puts me off the idea.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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.
publish or perish
Produce published work or fall into disfavor. For example, The younger members of the department have a heavier teaching load, but they also know it's publish or perish . This expression is nearly always used for college or university teachers, for whom advancement frequently is predicated on publishing research in their field. [Mid-1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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?
publish or perish
used to refer to an attitude or practice existing within academic institutions, whereby researchers are under pressure to publish material in order to retain their positions or to be deemed successful.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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!’Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
perish the thought
Used to express the wish that one not even think about something.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer