Anonymous asked:
Idioms: Knock on wood?
Knock on wood is a superstitious idiom. It means something like “I really hope to avoid jinxing the outcome I consider desirable.”
Example:
- Janet: How’s it going?
- Bill: Things are really great! My business is doing super well, and I think we’re about to get a really big contract.
- Bill: …knock on wood.
What Bill means is something “I think I’m going to get this contract, but I’m kind of worried that my confidence will jinx it. I am acknowledging this in hopes that it will protect me and that I will in fact get the important contract.”