God help someone

English

Etymology

Compare Old English God helpe sumes mannes.

Interjection

God help someone

  1. Expressing extreme pity or commiseration.
    • 1848, Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, Mary Barton:
      God help yon poor pale girl, who droops forlorn, / And meekly her affliction doth endure; / God help her, outcast lamb; she trembling stands, / All wan her lips, and frozen red her hands; […]
  2. Expressing a threat to the person who violates some rule or condition.
    • 2011, Simon Perry, All Who Came Before (page 60)
      “God help anyone who touches wine destined for Amram's lips!” Eliazar laughed as he lifted the skins on the cart to reach for a piece of bread to chew as he walked.
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