perish the thought

Equivalent to "[may] the thought perish", with the verb in the subjunctive mood followed by its subject.

perish the thought

1. May the thought perish; said of an idea or suggestion that is deeply undesirable.
   • 1885, Horatio Alger, chapter 13, in Hector's Inheritance:

     What! was he to lose his hold over these boys, and that because he was unable to cope with a boy much smaller and younger than himself? Perish the thought!

   • 2007 June 22, Grace Dent, The Guardian, G2, p. 3:

     According to industry gossips, Richard and Judy may soon go their separate ways. Not maritally; no, perish the thought.

• far be it

• “perish the thought”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.