knock on wood
The phrase "knock on wood" is a common superstition used to ward off bad luck, often after making a positive statement.
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Definition
B2General
(informal, superstitious)A phrase said to avoid bad luck after mentioning something positive.
Example
- I've never had any major health issues, knock on wood.
B2Cultural
(informal, superstitious)An action of tapping on a wooden object to prevent bad luck.
Example
- After saying she had never been in an accident, she quickly knocked on wood.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "knock on wood":
touch woodknock onknock underknock incross one's fingersknock aboutknock on the door ofcrossed fingersfingers crossedknock knock