What does “Come out of the woodwork” mean?
"Come out of the woodwork" means to suddenly appear or become active after being hidden or inactive for a long time.
What context can I use the in?
Example
After the news broke, supporters of the politician started to come out of the woodwork.
Example
Once the company announced its new product, customers started to come out of the woodwork to place their orders.
Example
When the famous singer announced a surprise concert, fans from all over the country came out of the woodwork to attend
Is “Come out of the woodwork” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Come out of the woodwork” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Come out of the woodwork” effectively in context?
You can use "Come out of the woodwork" to describe a situation where people suddenly appear or become active after being hidden or inactive for a long time. It often implies that these individuals were not previously known or involved in a particular situation. For example, if a celebrity announces a surprise event, you might say, 'Fans from all over the country came out of the woodwork to attend.'
- 1Politics
After the news broke, supporters of the politician started to come out of the woodwork.
- 2Business
Once the company announced its new product, customers started to come out of the woodwork to place their orders.
- 3Entertainment
When the famous singer announced a surprise concert, fans from all over the country came out of the woodwork to attend.
Similar phrases to “Come out of the woodwork”:
To become visible or known after being hidden or inactive
Example
After years of hiding, the missing painting finally surfaced at an auction.
To appear again after a period of absence or inactivity
Example
After taking a break from the music industry, the singer reemerged with a new album.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Come out of the woodwork” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Come out of the woodwork" is unknown.
Is “Come out of the woodwork” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Come out of the woodwork" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe situations where individuals suddenly appear or become active after being hidden or inactive for a long time.
What tone does “Come out of the woodwork” have?
"Come out of the woodwork" conveys a tone of surprise or astonishment. It's often used to highlight the unexpected nature of people's sudden appearance or activity.
Can “Come out of the woodwork” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "come out of the woodwork" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes a specific type of behavior. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional correspondence.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'Supporters of the politician came out of the woodwork after the news broke.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'They all came out of the woodwork!' to imply the sudden appearance of many individuals.
