Coming Out of the Woodwork: When They Suddenly Appear (and You Wish They Wouldn’t)
Ever notice how people just seem to appear? One moment, you relax. The next, they pop up like mushrooms after rain. This idiom captures it well: “coming out of the woodwork.”
What does “coming out of the woodwork” mean?
This phrase means:
- Emerging from obscurity or seclusion. Think of someone leaving their Batcave to join us.
- To appear after being inactive for long. Imagine a dusty project from your closet suddenly demanding attention. That’s “coming out of the woodwork.”
- Criticism for sudden opinions. If you use this phrase, you’re usually frustrated. It often describes people suddenly voicing opinions when they once stayed silent, suggesting self-serving motives.
- Appearing to seize opportunities. Opportunists – they “come out of the woodwork” for personal gain.
The Creepy-Crawly Origin Story
Where does this unsettling phrase come from? It’s not exactly pleasant.
The expression “coming out of the woodwork” suggests insects like cockroaches coming out from wooden areas of a house. Think baseboards or wooden furniture.
Not charming, right? The origin captures unexpected and unwanted appearances. Just as you don’t expect a centipede, you didn’t foresee *them* showing up.
Idiomatic Cousins: Phrases from the Same Family
English is a weird language. “Coming out of the woodwork” has some similar idioms:
- Fade into the woodwork: The opposite. It describes something becoming unnoticed, like a wallflower.
- Out of the woods: Don’t confuse this one! “Out of the woods” means no longer in danger. It’s a relief, not an invasion. Being “out of the woods” is positive, while “coming out of the woodwork” is what you want to avoid.
- Come out of the closet: This shares “coming out,” but means to publicly reveal something hidden, often about sexual orientation or identity. It’s more about personal truth than opportunistic appearances.
Variations and Slangy Vibes
You might hear “crawl out of the woodwork” – same meaning, with stronger creepy imagery.
In informal use, the “opportunity-seeking” essence becomes clear. It’s about people showing up to gain something for themselves.
A Quick Contrast: Woods vs. Woodwork
To avoid any forest confusion:
- “Coming out of the woodwork” – Unwelcome appearances from hidden people with opportunistic motives. Think of unexpected house guests.
- “Be out of the woods” – Safe and past danger. Think of finally escaping those guests and resting in peace.
Synonyms for “Woodwork” (Just in Case You Were Wondering)
While these aren’t directly related, if you’re curious about other words for “woodwork,” you could use:
- Carpentry
- Woodworking
- Joinery
“Woodwork” works fine, especially when talking about people mysteriously “coming out of it.”
