Touch wood is what people say right after mentioning good news or a hope, so they don't jinx it. The car hasn't needed repairs this year, touch wood. This is the British version; Americans say knock on wood. Some people really do touch a table or a door, but often it's just a habit of speech.
When would you say touch wood?
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statement + touch wood; US: statement + knock on wood
- The car has not needed any repairs this year, touch wood.
- We should finish before the rain starts, touch wood.
- Everyone has arrived on time so far, knock on wood.
What changed
First versionThe printer has worked all week, touch the wood.
RevisionThe printer has worked all week, touch wood.
It feels like you're touching a particular table or door, so the seems natural: touch the wood. But in this fixed phrase wood is the material in general, as in made of wood, so there's no article. The wood can even mean a small forest, so the was removed.
Fingers crossed is hope for something still ahead: Fingers crossed for the exam! Touch wood protects luck you already have and don't want to lose. Break a leg is what you say to wish someone luck before a performance.
Your turn
Complete the British expression used after mentioning good luck: Everything has gone smoothly, touch ___.
Show the answer
wood — You need wood with no article: it's the material in general, not a specific object. The wood isn't used in this expression and can even sound like a small forest.
Write about something that's going well for you right now, and add touch wood or knock on wood.
Our little garden has survived the dry weather, touch wood.
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