come out of the woodwork: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘come out of the woodwork’ mean?
The idiom "come out of the woodwork" means to suddenly appear or emerge, especially in large numbers or from unexpected places. It is often used to describe people or things that suddenly become visible, noticeable or active.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "out of nowhere" means something unexpectedly or suddenly appearing without any prior indication or warning.
The idiom "jump out" means to stand out or be noticeable due to its distinct or unusual characteristics.
An idiom used to describe someone or something from a person's past that unexpectedly reappears and has an impact on their present life or situation.
The idiom "fly out of the traps" means to start or move quickly, often with enthusiasm or energy. It is typically used to describe a person or thing that begins a race or competition swiftly.
The idiom "fish out" means to find or extract something or someone, often from a difficult or obscure place or situation.
The idiom "duck out" means to leave a place or situation quickly or secretly, often to avoid something or someone. It implies a sudden or sneaky departure.
The idiom "dig out of a hole" means to extricate oneself from a difficult or challenging situation through effort and determination.
The idiom "come up" means to arise or occur, often unexpectedly or suddenly. It can also refer to reaching a certain point in a discussion or meeting.
The idiom "come to light" means to be revealed or discovered, usually after being hidden or secret. It implies that information or facts are made known, often through investigation or examination.
The idiom "come to life" means to suddenly become active or animated, often referring to an inanimate object or a previously dull situation. It signifies a lively transformation or a sudden burst of energy, making something more vibrant and engaging.
Revelation Unveiled
The idiom "come out" is closely related to "come out of the woodwork." "Come out" means to make something known or public, to reveal or disclose information or feelings. It can also refer to an individual publicly acknowledging their sexual orientation or gender identity. This idiom is often used to describe individuals or things that were previously hidden or unknown, but have now become visible or apparent.
"out of nowhere" is another idiom related to "come out of the woodwork." It means that something happens suddenly or unexpectedly, without warning or prior indication. When someone or something "comes out of the woodwork" it can feel as if they appeared "out of nowhere." This emphasizes the sudden and surprising nature of their emergence from obscurity or hiding.
The idiom "come out of the closet" is also related to "come out of the woodwork." "Come out of the closet" specifically refers to an individual publicly acknowledging and revealing their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is a metaphorical way of saying that they are no longer keeping this aspect of themselves hidden or secret. This expression can also be used more broadly to describe someone revealing any significant secret or truth about themselves.
Lastly, we have the idiom "come to light," which is closely related to "come out of the woodwork." "Come to light" means that something becomes known or revealed, often after being hidden or kept secret. When something or someone "comes out of the woodwork," they are essentially coming to light, emerging from obscurity or hiding and becoming visible or known. This idiom suggests that there was a previous lack of awareness or understanding, and now new information or knowledge has come to light.
The idiom "come out of the woodwork" describes the sudden appearance or emergence of people or things from obscurity or hiding. It can be used to talk about unexpected or previously unknown individuals joining a discussion or event. This expression carries a sense of surprise and unpredictability. It is also used in legal and journalistic contexts to describe the sudden emergence of witnesses or evidence. "Come out of the woodwork" is related to idioms such as "come out," "out of nowhere," "come out of the closet," and "come to light," which all involve aspects of revealing, disclosing, and becoming known.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom come out of the woodwork can be used in a sentence:
1. When the famous actor visited his hometown, old friends and acquaintances started to come out of the woodwork.
2. After the announcement of the lottery winner, distant relatives and long-lost cousins suddenly came out of the woodwork, hoping for a piece of the prize.
3. When the company announced a job opening, qualified candidates from all over the country came out of the woodwork to apply.
More "Origin" idioms
