Out of the woods means out of danger, past the worst: said about a patient, a project or a company. Once the replacement arrives, we should be out of the woods. But it's more often negative: We're not out of the woods yet means things are better, but it's too early to relax. The image is clear: you've made it out of the forest into the open.
When would you say out of the woods?
Write a sentence — we'll check that the expression fits the situation and suggest what to fix.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
be out of the woods; not out of the woods yet
- The missing files are restored, but we're not out of the woods yet.
- Once the replacement arrives, the project should be out of the woods.
- We thought we were out of the woods until the second supplier cancelled.
What changed
First versionThe repairs are going well, but we aren't out of woods yet.
RevisionThe repairs are going well, but we aren't out of the woods yet.
Woods already sounds general, like danger in out of danger, so the article seems unnecessary. But the idiom needs the and the plural: out of the woods. Put the back, and the phrase is fixed.
So far so good means things are fine for now, and there may never have been any danger. Out of the woods means there was danger and it has passed. Weather the storm means getting through a hard period to the end.
Your turn
One problem is solved, but a serious risk remains. We are ___ out of the woods yet.
Show the answer
not — A serious risk remains, so not out of the woods yet. Already doesn't go with yet and contradicts the situation.
Describe a problem that is almost solved but not completely. Use not out of the woods yet.
The venue is confirmed, but we're not out of the woods yet because the equipment hasn't arrived.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.