to be out of the wood(s)
1out of the wood/woods — in a position free from danger or difficulty Her health is getting better but she s not out of the woods yet. [=she is still sick; there is still a chance that her condition could get much worse] • • • Main Entry: ↑wood …
2out of the wood (or woods) usu. with negative — out of danger or difficulty. → wood …
3out of the wood — phrasal Britain : out of the woods * * * out of the wood ● wood * * * (or woods) out of danger or difficulty …
4not be out of the wood — (not) be out of the wood/woods to continue having difficulties although a situation has improved. Financially, things are looking distinctly more hopeful, but we re not out of the woods yet …
5hunger drives the wolf out of the wood — Cf. early 14th cent. Fr. la fains enchace le loufdou bois, hunger chases the wolf from the wood. 1483 CAXTON Cato B6v As hunger chaceth the wolfe out of the wode thus sobrete [sobriety] chaseth the deuyl fro the man. 1591 J. FLORIO Second Fruits… …
6don’t halloo till you are out of the wood — Do not exult until all danger or difficulty is past. Halloo literally means to shout in order to attract attention. 1770 B. FRANKLIN Papers (1973) XVIII. 356 This is Hollowing before you are out of the Wood. 1800 A. ADAMS Letter 13 Nov. (1848)… …
7be out of the wood — (not) be out of the wood/woods to continue having difficulties although a situation has improved. Financially, things are looking distinctly more hopeful, but we re not out of the woods yet …
8don't halloo till you're out of the wood — Keep quiet until you are sure you are safe • • • Main Entry: ↑halloo …
9out of the wood — Free from difficulties or trouble …
10The Three Little Men in the Wood — or The Three Dwarfs is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, number 13. [Jacob and Wilheim Grimm, Grimm s Fairy Tales , [http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/authors/grimms/13threemenforest.html The Three Little Men in the Wood ] ]… …
