What does “Act of God” mean?
"Act of God" means an event that is beyond human control, especially one in which something is damaged or someone is hurt.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The insurance policy covers damages caused by Acts of God such as earthquakes and floods.
Example
The airline is not responsible for flight delays due to Acts of God like severe weather conditions.
Example
The company had to shut down temporarily due to a fire caused by an Act of God
Is “Act of God” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Act of God” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Act of God” effectively in context?
You can use "Act of God" to describe an event or situation that is caused by natural forces and is beyond human control. Here are three distinct situations where you can use this phrase:
- 1Insurance
The insurance policy covers damages caused by Acts of God such as earthquakes and floods.
- 2Travel
The airline is not responsible for flight delays due to Acts of God like severe weather conditions.
- 3Business
The company had to shut down temporarily due to a fire caused by an Act of God.
Similar phrases to “Act of God”:
Force majeure
An event or effect that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled
Example
The contract includes a force majeure clause to protect against unforeseen circumstances.
An event that was not expected or predicted
Example
The project was delayed due to unforeseen events beyond our control.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Act of God” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Act of God" can be traced back to legal and insurance terminology. It is often used to refer to events or disasters that are considered to be beyond human control, such as natural disasters or accidents caused by extreme weather conditions.
Is “Act of God” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Act of God" is a commonly used expression in everyday conversation, especially in legal and insurance contexts. It is widely recognized and understood by native English speakers.
What tone does “Act of God” have?
"Act of God" conveys a neutral tone. It is a technical term used to describe events or situations that are beyond human control, without implying any personal or emotional judgment.
Can “Act of God” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Act of God" is a formal expression that is commonly used in legal and insurance contexts. It is appropriate to use in professional settings, such as legal documents, insurance policies, or discussions with lawyers and insurance agents.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The damage was caused by an "Act of God".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'It was an "Act of God".' to imply that something was beyond human control.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- natural calamity
- divine intervention
- uncontrollable event
- unavoidable circumstance
- irresistible force
Antonyms
- human error
- man-made disaster
- intentional act
- controlled event
- predictable circumstance
