Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - god

God ~ n not with the) 1 the being2 (1) who Christians, Jews, and Muslims pray to  (- see also act of God act1 (10)) 2 God/oh God/my God/good God spoken used to add force to what you are saying, when you are surprised, annoyed, or amused  (Oh God, how embarrassing!) 3 I swear/hope/wish etc to God used to emphasize that you promise, hope or wish that something is true  (I hope to God nothing goes wrong.) 4 God knows spoken a) used to show that you are annoyed because you do not know something, or because you think that something is unreasonable  (God knows who/what/how etc)  (God knows what she's doing in there. | God only knows)  (It'll cost God only knows how much.) b) used to add force to what you are saying  (God knows, it hasn't been easy.) 5 what/how/where/who in God's name spoken used to add force to a question when you are angry or surprised  (Where in God's name have you been?) 6 God forbid spoken used to say that you very much hope that something will not happen + tha  (God forbid that she should ever hurt you.) 7 honest to God spoken used to emphasize that you are not lying or joking  (Honest to God, I didn't tell her!) 8 God almighty spoken used to express surprise, shock, annoyance, or anger 9 God help you/him etc spoken used to warn someone  (God help you if Tom comes home and you're still here!) 10 God help us spoken, usually humorous used when you think that something bad is going to happen  ("Simon's doing the cooking." "God help us!") 11 God bless spoken used to show your affection for someone  (Goodnight, Jenny - God bless.) 12 God willing spoken used to say that you hope there will be no problems  (We'll be moving next month, God willing.) 13 God-given received from God  (a God-given talent for singing | a God-given right (=the right to do something without asking anyone else's opinion)) 14 God give me strength! spoken used when you are becoming annoyed 15 God's gift to women/men etc someone who thinks they are perfect or extremely attractive  (Paul thinks he's God's gift to the film industry.) 16 God rest his/her soul also God rest him/her old-fashioned used to show respect when speaking about someone who is dead 17 play God to behave as though you have the power to do whatever you like  (scientists who think they can play God with their genetic experiments) 18 by God old-fashioned used to add force when you are expressing determination or surprise  (- see also there but for the grace of God grace1 (6), in the lap of the gods lap1 (5), thank God/goodness/heavens thank (2))  ( USAGE NOTE: GOD FORMALITY AND POLITENESS In informal spoken English the following expressions are very common. They are used in a non-religious way, but some people would consider them to be offensive. Oh (my) God/My God/Good God/God! are all used to show strong surprise, fear, excitement or annoyance, or to emphasize what is said Oh God, what's that? | My God, I forgot to lock the door. | God he was sexy! | Good God no! For God's sake is used to draw attention strongly to a particular point How can she do that, she's only seven for God's sake! It is also used with orders to make them stronger, or to show annoyance For God's sake shut up! Thank God shows you are happy and pleased about something Thank God you're here! | Thank God for that! God (only) knows is a strong way of saying `I don't know'. SPELLING God is always written with a capital letter in these expressions. GRAMMAR God is not used with the I pray to God every night (NOT the God). )