English · Proverb Attested

there are no atheists in foxholes

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

In times of extreme stress or fear, even those who do not believe in a benevolent higher power will hope that one exists.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “there are no atheists in foxholes” mean?

In times of extreme stress or fear, even those who do not believe in a benevolent higher power will hope that one exists.

Is “there are no atheists in foxholes” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.

👁 Views 0 today 0 past 7 days 0 this month 0 all time