touch wood

== English == === Etymology === From a folk practice of unclear origin. === Pronunciation === === Verb === touch wood (third-person singular simple present touches wood, present participle touching wood, simple past and past participle touched wood) (UK, Ireland, Commonwealth) To make contact with wood to avert bad luck, in accordance with a folk practice. Synonym: (US) knock on wood ==== Translations ==== === Interjection === touch wood (idiomatic, UK, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, India) Hopefully; said while touching something wooden, to avert superstitious bad luck from what has just been said. Synonym: (US) knock on wood ==== Usage notes ==== The expression is used superstitiously to avert the possibility that something just mentioned (if bad) might occur, or (if it is a good thing) might not occur. The action may or may not be performed, depending on how literally the speaker adheres to the superstition. If it is taken literally, it is usual to attempt physically to touch some wooden object whilst, or shortly after, exclaiming touch wood. Failure to find and touch a wooden item within a short time may be considered ominous, and cause mental distress to the person involved. ==== Translations ==== === See also === apotropaism Apotropaic magic on Wikipedia.Wikipedia == Chinese == === Etymology === From English touch wood. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /tʰɐt͡ʃ⁵⁵ wuːt̚⁵⁵/ === Conjunction === touch wood (Hong Kong Cantonese) supposing (that something bad happens); what if (something bad happens); God forbid touch wood我聽日炒車走咗，你會點做吖？ [Cantonese, trad.]touch wood我听日炒车走咗，你会点做吖？ [Cantonese, simp.]touch wood ngo5 ting1 jat6 caau2 ce1 zau2 zo2, nei5 wui5 dim2 zou6 a1? [Jyutping]Supposing that I were to die in a car accident tomorrow, what would you do then?