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
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 |
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 |
دندان اسب پیشکشی را نمی شمارند |
Strike while the iron is hot تا تنور گرم است باید نان پخت |
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 |
به ساز کسی رقصیدن |
نه خود خورد نه کس دهد، گنده کند به سگ دهد |
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 |
دست و پا چلفتی است |
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 |
مارگزیده از ریسمان سیاه و سفید می ترسد |
First catch your hare, then cook him
To milk the ram
One should not look a gift horse in the mouth
One swallow does not make summer
To dance to a person's tune
He is a dog in the manager
Like water off a duck's back
His fingers are all thumbs
To pour oil on the fire
A burnt child dreads the fire