knock on wood

Verb CEFR C1

ˌnɒk ɒn ˈwʊd

Definitions

To take a customary action to ward off some misfortune that is believed to be attracted by a presumptuous statement.

Philippines, US, idiomatic

Equivalents

Españoltoca madera tocar madera

Françaistoucher du bois touchons du bois

Deutsch(dreimal) auf Holz klopfen auf Holz klopfen

11 more languages

Azərbaycan diligöz dəyməsin

Danskbanke under bordet

Suomikoputtaa puuta

עבריתחמסה חמסה חמסה טפו טפו טפו

Italianotocca ferro toccare ferro tocchiamo ferro

日本語桑原桑原

Nederlandsafkloppen hout vasthouden

Polskiodpukać odpukać w niemalowane drewno

Portuguêsbater na madeira

Русскийтьфу-тьфу тьфу-тьфу-тьфу

Svenskapeppar, peppar, ta i trä ta i trä

CEFR level

C1

Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.

See all C1 English words →

See also

knock one out knock oneself out knock out knock out of the box knock over knock round

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