# knock on wood

Pronunciation: say "nok on WUUD" US /ˌnɑk ɑn ˈwʊd/, UK /ˌnɒk ɒn ˈwʊd/

## Idiom

1. An expression of hope that good fortune keeps holding, said while performing the customary gesture meant to keep bad luck away. *(Philippines, US)*
   - Simple: Said when you hope your good luck will keep going and bad luck stays away.
   - _We haven't had a single breakdown all year, knock on wood._
   - _I should make it to the finals, knock on wood._

## Idiom

2. To perform the customary gesture of tapping wood after a bold or hopeful remark, in the belief that it wards off the misfortune such a statement might attract. *(Philippines, US)*
   - Simple: To tap or touch wood for luck, hoping to stop bad things after saying something hopeful.
   - _Drivers who boast about a clean record often knock on wood as they say it._
   - _He praised the calm weather, then knocked on wood just to be safe._

## Origin

From a folk practice whose origin is unclear.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/knock-on-wood (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).