knock on wood

knock on wood
knock on wood see ↑touch wood under ↑touch
• • •
Main Entry: ↑knock

* * *

I
see wood
II
said in order to prevent a confident statement from bringing bad luck

I haven't been banned yet, knock on wood

Origin:
with reference to the custom of touching something wooden to ward off bad luck

* * *

knock on wood — see ↑wood, 1
• • •
Main Entry: ↑knock
————————
knock on wood (US) (or chiefly Brit touch wood)
◇ People say knock on wood or touch wood and often hit or touch something made of wood as a way to prevent bad luck after they have just said that something good has happened, that they are in a good situation, etc.

I've never broken a bone, knock on wood.

• • •
Main Entry: ↑wood

* * *

ˌknock on ˈwood idiom
(NAmE, saying) (BrE ˌtouch ˈwood) used when you have just mentioned some way in which you have been lucky in the past, to avoid bringing bad luck
Main entry: ↑knockidiom

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • knock on wood — {v. phr.} To knock on something made of wood to keep from having bad luck. Many people believe that you will have bad luck if you talk about good luck or brag about something, unless you knock on wood; often used in a joking way. * /Charles said …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • knock on wood — {v. phr.} To knock on something made of wood to keep from having bad luck. Many people believe that you will have bad luck if you talk about good luck or brag about something, unless you knock on wood; often used in a joking way. * /Charles said …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • knock on wood — knock (on) wood I hope my good luck will continue. We haven t had any problems with the car so far, knock on wood. I m expecting, knock wood, to be offered the job next week. Usage notes: used when you think difficulties are likely Etymology:… …   New idioms dictionary

  • knock on wood — knock on something made of wood to keep from having bad luck I don t think that I will lose my job knock on wood …   Idioms and examples

  • knock on wood — This idiom is used to wish for good luck. ( Touch wood is also used.) …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • Knock on Wood — The term Knock on Wood refers to knocking on wood, an act of superstition, but may also refer to:*Knock on Wood (1954 film), a film starring Danny Kaye *Knock on Wood, the title song to the 1954 film by Sylvia Fine *Knock on Wood (song) , a song… …   Wikipedia

  • knock\ on\ wood — v. phr. To knock on something made of wood to keep from having bad luck. Many people believe that you will have bad luck if you talk about good luck or brag about something, unless you knock on wood; often used in a joking way. Charles said, I… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • knock on wood —    This idiom is used to wish for good luck. ( Touch wood is also used.)   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    touch wood/ knock on wood    This humorous expression, based on superstition, is used to avoid bad luck, often while touching… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • knock on wood — ► touch (or chiefly N. Amer. knock on) wood touch something wooden to ward off bad luck. Main Entry: ↑wood …   English terms dictionary

  • knock on wood — verb /ˈnɒk ɒn ˈwʊd,ˈnɑk ɑn ˈwʊd,ˈnɔk ɔn ˈwʊd,ˈnak ɑn ˈwʊd/ To take a customary action to ward off some misfortune that is believed to be attracted by a presumptuous statement. I do a lot of walking, and I have never had any knee problems yet,… …   Wiktionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”