God knows

alternative God only knows · alternative goodness knows · alternative gosh knows · alternative heaven knows · alternative heaven only knows · alternative Lord knows · alternative Lord only knows

1. It is only known to God; it is unknown to people.

   Don't touch that! God knows who else put their hands on that thing!

   3 more examples

   […] Origen himself does not say this. His words are simply, "Who wrote it [i.e. penned it down], God knows, ἡ δὲ εἰς ἡμᾶς φθάσασα ἱστορία", but a report has come to us, that it was either Clement or Luke.

   1837, Moses Stuart, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews, 4th edition, page 73

   I paid the rent, washed your clothes / Cooked your food and only God knows / Only God knows why I stay with you / I guess I'm in love

   1994, Daryl Simmons & Babyface, “Willing to Forgive”, performed by Aretha Franklin

   So, you want my father to pay for this? – You saw him. He was fiddling with the engine. God knows what he did there.

   1995, Tom Gammill and Max Pross, “The Gum”, in Seinfeld, season 7, episode 10 (television production)

   Synonyms: I don't know, who knows

2. oftenIt is known unto God; it is certainly true.

   God knows many kids don't like going to school!

   3 more examples

   […] those therefore that appeal to him^([sic]) upon every trivial occasion, and with a slightly superficial God knows, while they never think of God, nor have any regard to his^([sic]) knowledge, profane his^([sic]) name by taking it in vain[…]

   1700 August 8, Matthew Henry, “A Sermon Preached at the Opening of the New Meeting-House at Chester”, in Misc. Works, published 1830, page 1134

   I have my faults, God knows, and I may even be among the first to admit them, but to this very day I know in my bones that I'm a much better person than He is.

   1984, Joseph Heller, God Knows, page 8

   No, no, no. Don't do it. Don't do it! For my sake! God knows I don't ask you for much! Now, come on. Please, Jerry. Please! I'm beggin' ya! Please! Come on! Please!

   1992, Larry David, “The Contest”, in Seinfeld, season 4, episode 11 (television production)

   Synonyms: certainly, of course, obviously