neck of the woods
A local neighbourhood or region.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“It is nice to see you in this neck of the woods.”
“I did not know you lived nearby, so I was surprised to see you in my neck of the woods.”
“After years of traveling abroad, he finally returned to his old neck of the woods to settle down and reconnect with his family.”
The phrase derives from the use of neck to denote a narrow tract of land, or perhaps from the Algonquian *naiack*, signifying a point or corner. While the former suggests a topographical extension of the anatomy, the latter traces the idiom to an indigenous designation for a specific geographic bend.
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albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
- 02
albatross round one's neck
Alternative form of albatross around one's neck.
- 03
babe in the woods
A person who is innocent, naive, inexperienced, or helpless, especially with respect to an unfamiliar situation or environment.
- 04
brass neck
Gall, shamelessness, cheek.
- 05
break one's neck
To make extraordinary efforts to achieve an end; to exert oneself in pursuit of a goal.
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breathe down someone's neck
To follow or supervise someone too closely, causing discomfort for that person.
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checkup from the neck up
The analysis of one's own thoughts or beliefs with a view to reforming oneself.
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do me good/s
[Cockney slang]wood/s
Last updated August 10, 2026