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.