knocking on wood
Jinx prevention gesture
Knocking on wood is a superstitious gesture meant to ward off bad luck or prevent jinxing oneself after mentioning good fortune or expressing optimism.
The speaker raps knuckles on a wooden surface, or says the phrase when no wood is available: I've never been in a car accident—knock on wood.
The ritual acknowledges that fate might punish overconfidence.
- luckChance affecting outcomes
- good luck charmObject thought to bring fortune
- jinxCurse bringing misfortune
- bad luckUnfavorable chance events
- gestureCommunicative body movement
table · superstition · tap · charm · magical thinking · idiom · omen · anxiety relief · colloquialism · self-soothing · peace of mind · talisman · fingers crossed · break a leg · ward off · evil eye · hex · horseshoe
- superstitionssuperstition, superstitions, hexes, black cats, broken mirror
- protective charmsevil eye charm, protective charm, hamsa, hamsa hand, amulet
- anticipation ritualscountdown, wish list, clock watching, pacing, nail biting
- body lorepalm reading, palmistry, phrenology, physiognomy, face reading
knocking on woodscientific reasoning
Methodical analysis from evidence
statistical analysis · calculated risk · risk assessment · empirical verification · playing the odds
knocking on woodtempting fate
Risking bad outcomes recklessly
hubris · asking for trouble · pushing one's luck · courting disaster · bragging
knocking on woodboasting
Excessive self-praise
bragging · crowing · gloating · presumption · overconfidence
wood, knock, knockout, knocking, knocked, knocker, knocks, knockoff, knockers