heaven forfend

== English == === Etymology === From heaven (“abode of God”) + forfend (“to avert; to forbid, prohibit”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌhɛvn̩ fɔːˈfɛnd/, /-fə-/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˌhɛv(ə)n fɔɹˈfɛnd/ Rhymes: -ɛnd Hyphenation: heav‧en for‧fend === Interjection === heaven forfend (dated or humorous) Used to express that one hopes that something does not happen Synonyms: heaven forbid, God forbid; see also Thesaurus:God forbid Antonym: God willing ==== Usage notes ==== The term is often used with irony, or in a tongue in cheek manner. ==== Translations ====