knock on wood or touch wood

“Knock on wood” is an expression that is often used by English speakers, but it is a very unique phrase.  This phrase basically means ‘I hope so’ or ‘if all goes well’.  Knock on wood is a spoken phrase (it is generally not written) and it is an expression used to express a desire to avoid ‘tempting fate’ or to keep something bad from happening.  This phrase is said most often after a person makes a boast* or expresses a hope or desire.  When a person says this phrase they usually knock on something that is made of wood, or any hard surface that is near by.

Here are some examples of how this phrase might be used:

“I think I am finally feeling better – knock on wood.”

“I won’t be late for work again tomorrow – knock on wood.”

“Are your parents paying for you guys to go to France again this summer?”  “Knock on wood!”

 The origin of this phrase comes from old English folklore.  Apparently a long time ago people in England went into the isolated woods to talk privately and tell secrets and they “knocked” on the trees (and trees are made of wood) when they were talking to hide their communication from evil spirits who might make trouble.  The people knocked on wood to keep the spirits from hearing them and keep the good things they wanted to happen from being disrupted.  Another version of this folklore states an almost opposite understanding of the action of knocking on wood.  This other version holds that the act of knocking on trees was to wake up the spirits to make them listen so they could work in favor of a specific request or secret.

ضرب المثل های انگلیسی


 

First catch your hare, then cook him

مرغی که در هواست نباید به سیخ کشید

To run with the hare and hunt with the hounds

یکی به میخ و یکی به نعل زدن

To carry coals to Newcastle

زیره به کرمان بردن

To go with the stream

همرنگ جماعت شدن

To move heaven and Earth

آسمان را به زمین دوختن

Physician, heal thyself

کل اگر طبیب بودی سر خود دوا نمودی

To milk the ram

آب در هاون سائیدن

Spare the rod and spoil the child

کسی که بچه خود را نزند روزی به سینه خود خواهد زد

The shoemaker's wife goes the worst shod

کوزه گر از کوزه شکسته آب می خورد

Half a loaf is better than no bread

کاچی به از هیچ چیز است

When in Rome, do as the Romans do

خواهی نشوی رسوا، همرنگ جماعت شو

To get out of bed on the wrong side

از دنده چپ برخاستن

There is honour among thieves

سگ سگ را نمی خورد

One should not look a gift horse in the mouth

دندان اسب پیشکشی را نمی شمارند

Strike while the iron is hot

تا تنور گرم است باید نان پخت

One swallow does not make summer

با یک گل بهار نمی شود

Light come, light go

باد آورده را باد می برد

His bread is buttered on both sides

نانش در روغن است

He is a button short

یک تخته اش کم است

To put the cart before the horse

سرنا را از ته گشاد آن زدن

To dance to a person's tune

به ساز کسی رقصیدن

He is a dog in the manager

نه خود خورد نه کس دهد، گنده کند به سگ دهد

Like water off a duck's back

چون گردکان بر گنبد

Like a duck in thunderstorm

مثل خر در گل مانده

All is well that ends well

شاهنامه آخرش خوش است

Birds of a feather flock together

کبوتر با کبوتر باز با باز

To bite a file

آب در هاون سائیدن

To have a finger in every pie

نخود هر آشی بودن

His fingers are all thumbs

دست و پا چلفتی است

To pour oil on the fire

آتش را دامن زدن

There is no smoke without fire

تا نباشد چیزکی مردم نگویند چیزها

To fall from the frying pan into the fire

از چاه درآمدن و در چاله افتادن

A burnt child dreads the fire

مارگزیده از ریسمان سیاه و سفید می ترسد