This idiom act of God is most often, though not always, used in legal contexts, especially in the provisions of insurance policies or contracts. For example, many home owner’s insurance policies may not cover certain “acts of God.” When used in such a way, the term can be vague and may mean insurance company decides it means. The idiom is also used in contracts, such as when a contract specifies that the signers should not be held responsible for being unable to carry out the contract due to acts of God.
Also: act of nature
Meaning of Idiom ‘An Act of God’
An act of God is an unexpected, powerful, and uncontrollable event that is not caused by humans, such as a hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, volcanic eruption, wildfire, etc.; a miracle; a chance event that happens without explanation. 1Kirkpatrick, Elizabeth M. The Wordsworth Dictionary of Idioms. Ware: Wordsworth, 1995.
This idiom is most often, though not always, used in legal contexts, especially in the provisions of insurance policies or contracts. For example, many home owner’s insurance policies may not cover certain “acts of God.” When used in such a way, the term can be vague and may mean insurance company decides it means. The idiom is also used in contracts, such as when a contract specifies that the signers should not be held responsible for being unable to carry out the contract due to acts of God.
Act of God is also used to mean ‘a miracle.’
Sentence Examples
“When a tree limb fell on my car, the insurance company would not cover the damage. They claimed that the storm which caused the limb to fall was an act of God and therefore was not covered under the policy.”
“If we make it out of these accursed mountains it will be an act of God,” said the explorer.
“Could these portals just appear anywhere, any time? I think that’s highly unlikely. No, I think what you’re talking about is an act of God.” — Donnie Darko (2001)
“He saw what Clark did. – I know he did.” “I’m sure what he thought he saw was– – Was an act of God, Jonathan.” — Man of Steel (2013)
“There are things you can’t fight, acts of god. You see a hurricane coming, you have to get out of the way.” — Pacific Rim (2013)
“Hurricane Clarissa wiped out our facility on Site B. Call it an act of God. We had to evacuate. The animals were released…” — The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
“Clearly, there was a mechanical issue with the plane.” “Yeah, clearly.” “Yeah, but what you and I know, this was an act of God. And I’m going to fight to get the NTSB to add “Act of God” as one of the probable causes.” — Flight (2012)
“Listen, Lieutenant. You may not know this but in the law there’s something called force majeure. It means an unforeseeable act of God and it cancels all promises and obligations.” — Cape Fear (1991)
“I got no moves, okay? I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m waiting on a miracle, okay? I’m waiting on an act of God.” — John Q (2002)
“Construction crane dropped two tons of steel on us.” “That must have hurt.” “It was a hydraulic leak. An act of God! Why does he do those things?” — Ghost Town (2008)
Origin of Act of God
Used as a legal term since the first half of the 1800’s, but appearing with a similar meaning since the 1600’s. God, in the expression, has always been used to mean nature, rather than to evoke the intervention of an omnipotent being. 2Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. 3Bengelsdorf, Peter. Idioms in the News – 1,000 Phrases, Real Examples. N.p.: Amz Digital Services, 2012.
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