# touch wood

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/touch-wood
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Hopefully; said while touching something wooden, to avert superstitious bad luck from what has just been said.

## Examples

- I have not been sick all year, touch wood.
- The project is going perfectly so far, touch wood, so we should finish on time.
- Everything has proceeded according to our original plan, touch wood, and we expect the final results to be favorable.

## Origin

From a folk practice of unclear origin. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.