knock on wood

Cultural  

1. 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.”

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knock on wood Idioms  

1. Also, touch wood. Express a wish that something will or will not occur, as in This last round of treatment should have cured her, knock on wood. This expression alludes to an ancient superstition that literally knocking on or touching wood will ward off evil spirits. [c. 1900]

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The expression alludes to an ancient superstition that touching wood would ward off evil spirits.

Example Sentences

As well as a guitarist, Cropper was a prolific songwriter, and in addition to Dock of the Bay and In the Midnight Hour, he co-wrote Eddie Floyd's Knock on Wood.

From BBC

“A’corn she will, knock on wood!”

From Literature

Hopefully nothing weird happens, knock on wood, but it’s if it does, you remind people who you are.

From Los Angeles Times

And knock on wood that continues.

From Los Angeles Times

Knock on wood, it’s been kind of a nice, steady trend line up to get to this point.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anticipate
• assume
• believe
• cherish
• count on
• expect
• hold
• wish