knock wood

Jinx prevention phrase

Knock wood is a phrase spoken after expressing hope or satisfaction about something, meant to ward off bad luck or prevent jinxing the favorable situation: I haven't been sick all year, knock wood.

The speaker often accompanies the words by literally knocking on a wooden surface.

Also *knock on wood*.

superstition

talisman

Magical protective charm

  • amuletWorn protective token
  • charmAttractive personal quality
  • omenProphetic indicator

jinx · curse · hex · evil eye · taboo · ritual · horseshoe · rabbit foot · four-leaf clover · black cat

hope

optimism

Tendency to expect good

faith · confidence · positive thinking · reassurance · aspiration · expectation · hopefulness

protection

ward

Protected person; division

prevention · averting · warding off · blessing · sanctuary · talisman · insurance · precaution · countermeasure · deflection

luck

fortune

Wealth or destiny

  • chanceLikelihood of occurrence
  • fatePredetermined course of events
  • serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery

blessing · good fortune · lucky streak · windfall · providence · kismet · auspicious · boon · fluke · charmed

gesture

tap

Valve controlling liquid flow

doorframe · tree trunk · rapping

Opposites
superstitious precaution vs. rational action

knock woodrisk assessment

Evaluating likelihood of harm

contingency planning · scientific skepticism · calculated risk · due diligence · scientific approach

inviting vs. warding off bad luck

knock woodtempt fate

Recklessly invite misfortune

tempting fate · speak too soon · courting disaster · hubris · asking for trouble

cautious optimism vs. confident certainty

knock woodguaranteed

Promised with certainty

in the bag · no doubt about it · count on it · rest assured · bank on it

Family

wood, knock, wooden, firewood, knockout, woodland, woodwork, knocking, knocked

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G