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Touch wood

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An idiomatic phrase used to ward off bad luck after making a hopeful statement, originating from superstitions about wood bringing good fortune, often accompanied by knocking on wood.

Detailed Definition
Touch wood is a superstition-based idiom used after expressing hope or confidence, to avoid tempting bad luck. In poetry, it can reveal folk belief, anxiety, ritual, and the human wish to influence fate through gesture. The wood may suggest nature, cross, table, door, or old protective custom. A poet may use it tenderly for ordinary fear, or ironically when no charm can prevent loss. The phrase is useful for exploring superstition, vulnerability, and the uneasy relation between speech and fate.
Example
Example in poetry:
A comic poem might say, touch wood, the roof has not leaked since Tuesday; In a sailor's song, touch wood follows every boast about calm seas; The phrase invokes luck after mentioning a hoped-for outcome; A poet can use it for superstition and humour.
Additional Notes
Touch wood is said to avoid tempting fate after expressing hope or good fortune. In American English, knock on wood is more common. In poetry, it can reveal superstition, humility before chance, or the human need to ritualise uncertainty. The wood image connects luck to trees, tables, doors, and old belief. Students should ask whether the gesture comforts, charms, or exposes fear that happiness may be fragile.
Also Known As
Knock on wood
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