perish

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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]

Used to express the wish that one not even think about something.