comes out of the woodwork
Appears from hiding
To come out of the woodwork is to appear suddenly and unexpectedly, especially in large numbers—like insects emerging from cracks in wooden structures.
The phrase usually carries a negative connotation, suggesting unwelcome arrivals: When she won the lottery, relatives she'd never met came out of the woodwork.
It implies people were hidden or inactive until opportunity arose.
- show upArrive or outperform
- turn upAppear or be found
- pop upAppear abruptly, unexpectedly
- out of nowhereWithout apparent origin
- appearBecome perceptible to sight
show one's face · hidden motives · reveal · opportunism · fair weather friends · jump on the bandwagon · manifest · come to light · bandwagon effect · surface · uncover · disclose · make an appearance · creep out · materialize · arise · expose · rear one's head
comes out of the woodworkdisappears
Ceases to exist visibly
vanishes · keeps a low profile · lies low · melts away · withdraws