Idiom
Out of the woods
If someone is out of the woods, they are past the most dangerous or difficult part of a situation.
How people use it
The phrase is very often used in the negative, not out of the woods yet, to warn that trouble may not be over (her fever is down, but she's not out of the woods yet). It is common for recovery from illness, but also for businesses, sports teams and the economy. It is neutral and works in news and conversation. British speakers often say out of the wood, singular.
Also said: not out of the woods yet, out of the wood.
Examples
- The doctor says Grandpa is improving, but he isn't out of the woods yet.
- The restaurant had a strong summer, so the owners feel they are finally out of the woods.
- We fixed the leak, but with more rain coming, the basement is not out of the woods.
Where it comes from
Being lost in a thick forest was a real danger in earlier times, so getting out of the woods meant reaching safety. An old proverb warned 'do not halloo till you are out of the wood,' meaning do not shout for joy before you are truly safe. Versions of that saying date back to at least the 1700s, and the shorter idiom grew from it.
Check yourself
1. If a doctor says a patient is not out of the woods yet, what does that mean?
Answer: The patient could still be in danger. Not out of the woods yet means the worst may not be over.
2. Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Answer: After three straight wins, the coach said the team was out of the woods.. Escaping a losing streak fits the idiom. The camping sentence is confused and literal, and danger just beginning is the opposite.
Similar idioms
Word game fan? See every word hiding in WOODS.