What does it mean to "knock on wood"?

'Knock on wood' is an idiom meaning to say for something not to happen, or maybe after it happened.
For example: "We will win this basketball game, knock on wood."
In this case, he means that he doesn't want the opposite to happen; losing.

Answered by TacoGod | 2024-06-10

There was a superstition that if you say you wish that something would happen, evil spirits will make sure that exactly the opposite will happen. Knocking on wood supposedly prevented this. Instead on actual knocking, people started saying "knock on wood", it became an idiom.

Answered by mackiemesser | 2024-06-10

'Knock on wood' is an idiom used to express hope for good luck or to prevent bad luck after making a positive statement. Its origins are tied to ancient superstitions about wood having protective qualities. This phrase is commonly used in various cultures, often with similar phrases like 'touch wood.'
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Answered by TacoGod | 2024-12-27