ENGLISH
REFERENCE

knock on wood

idiom
Meaning

To take a customary action to ward off some misfortune that is believed to be attracted by a presumptuous statement.


Origin

disputed origin

From a folk practice of unclear origin.

Examples
SIMPLE

I have never been sick, knock on wood.

CONTEXTUAL

The project is going perfectly so far, knock on wood, so we should finish on time.

COMPLEX

She mentioned that her car had never broken down during a long trip and, quickly knocking on wood, hoped her luck would hold for the journey ahead.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    don't knock yourself out

    Don't overexert yourself (in doing something that does not require much effort).

  2. 02

    give someone wood

    To cause someone to have an erection, usually due to sexual arousal.

  3. 03

    knock down a peg

    Synonym of take down a notch.

  4. 04

    knock for a loop

    To astonish; to stagger or overwhelm; to confuse or disorient.

  5. 05

    knock on heaven's door

    To die or be close to death.

  6. 06

    knock oneself out

    To go ahead; to do as one pleases; to enjoy oneself; to endeavor very hard at a task.

  7. 07

    knock out

    To strike or render unconscious

  8. 08

    knock out of the box

    To cause something to be replaced by something else.

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