Knocking on wood, also touching wood, is an apotropaic tradition of literally touching, tapping, or knocking on wood, or merely stating that one is doing or intending to do so, in order to avoid "tempting ...

What does the phrase mean knock on wood?

Some people say, “Knock on wood,” and then knock on something made of wood for good luck, when they have made a remark that has been true up to that point and they want it to continue to be true: “I've never had an accident yet, knock on wood.”

How do you use the phrase knock on wood?

said in order to avoid bad luck, either when you mention good luck that you have had in the past or when you mention hopes you have for the future: The deal will be agreed on Wednesday, knock on wood. Want to learn more?

What is a sentence for knock on wood?

The phrase 'Knock on Wood' is used when you are claiming that you've avoided misfortune and you want your lucky streak to continue. Example of Use: “I barely avoided being involved in that 20 car pileup, knock on wood!”

What's another way to say God forbid?

Perish the thought. Like "God forbid!", "perish the thought" can be used both parenthetically in the middle of a sentence, and as a phrase more on its own. For your specific example, you could say: You could do X if, perish the thought, Y doesn't happen.

Amii Stewart - Knock On Wood (Official Video)

Is knock on wood an idiom?

A superstitious expression said, typically in combination with actually touching or knocking on a wooden object or surface, when one desires something positive to continue, lest the mention of it "jinx" or somehow reverse one's good fortune.

Where did the statement Knock on wood come from?

Knocking on wood is thought to come from the folklore of the ancient Indo-Europeans, or possibly people who predated them, who believed that trees were home to various spirits. Touching a tree would invoke the protection or blessing of the spirit within.

How do you write touch wood?

You can say ' touch wood' in British English, or ' knock on wood' in American English, to indicate that you hope to have good luck in something you are doing, usually after saying that you have been lucky with it so far. She's never even been to the doctor's, touch wood.

Is knocking on wood Irish?

There is an Irish belief that you `knock on wood' to let the leprechauns know that you are thanking them for a bit of good luck. A Jewish version says it originated during the Spanish Inquisition as temples and synagogues were built of wood they used code to use in knocking on doors to gain admission.

Why do people say touch wood?

It derives from the pagan belief that malevolent spirits inhabited wood, and that if you expressed a hope for the future you should touch, or knock on, wood to prevent the spirits from hearing and presumably preventing your hopes from coming true.

What is the origin and meaning of the idiom knock on wood?

Origin. The phrase originated based on a superstition that knocking or touching wood will ward off evil spirits. Wood and trees have an association with good spirits in mythology. It was considered good luck to tap trees to let the good spirits know that you were there.

What does the term knock on mean?

If there is a knock-on effect, one action or event causes several other events to happen one after the other.

When did knocking on wood become a thing?

The Oxford English Dictionary traces the phrase “touch wood” only back to the early 19th century, locating its origins in a British children's tag game called Tiggy-touch-wood, in which children could make themselves “exempt…from capture [by] touching wood.”

How do you use touch wood in a sentence?

1. I'm fairly vigorous and _ touch wood _ in fairly good shape.
2. We must touch wood, but it appears there will be no airstrikes.
3. "Touch wood _ he is in very good health, " she said.
4. Touch wood hopefully it is not as bad as it looked.
5. "I have had a comfortable time, touch wood, " said Shriver.

Does Touch wood work?

While there is no strong evidence as to why this belief has become so rampant, many fables and lores indicate that by touching the wood, you are actually touching the wood of the Holy Cross, which may bring good luck and help you seek protection of God.

Is it knock on wood or touch wood?

Knocking on wood, also touching wood (the usual phrase and action for speakers of English), is an apotropaic tradition of literally touching, tapping, or knocking on wood, or merely stating that one is doing or intending to do so, in order to avoid "tempting fate" after making a favorable prediction or boast, or a ...

Why do we touch your head when we say Touchwood?

To tempt fate means to talk about something too confidently and invite bad luck. If there is no wood around a British person will tap their head instead! This is done as a joke. If a person had a wooden head they would not be very clever.

Is Heaven forbid offensive?

(spoken) used to say that you hope that something will not happen: 'Maybe you'll end up as a lawyer, like me. ' 'Heaven forbid! '(Some people find this use offensive.)

Is God forbid sarcastic?

A phrase invoking God's protection to keep something from happening. Sometimes used sarcastically or hyperbolically. God forbid that an R-rated film should have anything offensive in it! ...

What is the meaning of Perish the thought?

—used to say that something will not happen or that one hopes that something will not happen What?

What does it mean to knock down?

1 : to strike to the ground with or as if with a sharp blow : fell. 2 : to dispose of (an item) to a bidder at an auction sale. 3 : to take apart : disassemble. 4 : to receive as income or salary : earn positions where they were able to knock down good money — Infantry Journal. 5 : reduce knocked the price down.

What does knock up mean?

transitive verb. 1 sometimes vulgar : to make pregnant. 2 British : rouse, summon. Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About knock-up.