aʊt əv ðə wʊdz
Nature & Weather
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- Having exited a forest
What does "out of the woods" mean?
- No longer in danger or difficulty
- Past the critical point of a problem
Examples
- The patient isn't out of the woods yet, but she's improving.
- We're not out of the woods financially, but things are better.
- After months of problems, we're finally out of the woods.
Origin
From the danger and uncertainty of traveling through dark woods. Emerging from the woods means reaching safety.
How to use it
Often used with 'not yet' to indicate ongoing concern. Common in medical contexts.
Similar expressions
safe
past danger
over the worst
in the clear
Opposites
in trouble
at risk
in danger
Related idioms
- out of the blue
Unexpectedly; without warning
- beat around the bush
To avoid talking about the main point of a conversation
- every cloud has a silver lining
There is something positive in every negative situation
- go with the flow
To accept things as they are and adapt accordingly
- once in a blue moon
Very rarely; almost never
- tip of the iceberg
A small visible part of a much larger hidden problem
Use it in a practice answer
Try "out of the woods" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.