forbid
To say that someone must not do something, or that something is not allowed.
To state with authority that something may not be done, or to refuse permission for it.
To stop something from being possible because of a situation or condition.
To prevent or make something practically impossible due to circumstances or conditions.
- Base: forbid
- 3rd Person Singular: forbids
- Present Participle: forbidding
- Past: forbad, forbade
- Past Participle: forbid, forbidden
- Irregular present participle: forbidding Verb
- Irregular past: forbad, forbade Verb
- Irregular past participle: forbid, forbidden Verb
be forbidden to [verb]
1not allowed to do (passive)
Shows that someone is not allowed to do something, in the passive form.
- Visitors are forbidden to feed the animals.
- Children are forbidden to swim without an adult.
forbid someone from doing something
1order a person not to do
A common pattern showing that a person is not allowed to do something.
- The coach forbids players from using phones during practice.
- The contract forbids employees from discussing salaries.
forbid someone to do something
1order a person not to do
Another common pattern; often a bit more formal than 'from doing.'
- Security forbids visitors to enter after 6 p.m.
- My doctor forbids me to lift heavy boxes.
strictly forbidden
1absolutely not allowed
Used to say something is completely not allowed.
- Photography is strictly forbidden in this gallery.
- Smoking is strictly forbidden on the premises.
forbidden fruit
1Desired but prohibited thing
Something you want but are not allowed to have or do.
- Sneaking into the abandoned house felt like tasting forbidden fruit.
- For many teenagers, alcohol is forbidden fruit.
- For him, breaking the rules was a kind of forbidden fruit.
- The secret club had the allure of forbidden fruit.
forbidden fruit
1Tempting because not allowed
something you want more because you are not allowed to have it
- For teenagers, movies their parents ban can become forbidden fruit.
- The secrecy made the relationship feel like forbidden fruit.
- Luxury goods were forbidden fruit during the years of strict rationing.
- The closed room was forbidden fruit for the children.
- That game became forbidden fruit after my parents banned it.
God forbid
1Expression hoping something won't happen
Used to say you hope something does not happen.
- God forbid we ever have another war.
- God forbid something happens to the children.
God forbid
2I strongly hope not
Used to say you really hope something does not happen.
- If the power goes out—God forbid—we have a backup generator.
- God forbid anything happens to the kids on the trip.
heaven forbid
1Strongly hope something won't happen
Used to say you really hope something bad will not happen.
- Heaven forbid we should run out of coffee!
- Heaven forbid anything should happen to the children.
heaven forbid
2let’s hope that doesn’t happen
Another way to say you strongly hope something bad does not happen.
- Heaven forbid we miss the deadline again.
- Heaven forbid that the rumor turns out to be true.