come out of the woodwork: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 3.

    Human · Idiomatically
    • To appear or emerge unexpectedly or inexplicably, frequently in large numbers or quantity.

  • 2.

    GlobalinformalMachine
    • To emerge from obscurity, hiding, or inactivity into public view.
    • To come forward after a period of absence or invisibility, especially when attention has been drawn to a particular issue or person.

    Examples

    Beta

    • After years of silence, the artist came out of the woodwork to present a new exhibition.

      After years of silence, the artist came out of the woodwork to present a new exhibition.

    • Old classmates came out of the woodwork when the reunion was announced last month.

      Old classmates came out of the woodwork when the reunion was announced last month.

    • Following the controversy, critics who had been quiet came out of the woodwork to express their views.

      Following the controversy, critics who had been quiet came out of the woodwork to express their views.

  • 1.

    GlobalUSUKinformalcolloquialMachine
    • To appear suddenly and often in large numbers, typically in response to an event, opportunity, or controversy.
    • To surface unexpectedly, frequently with the implication that those who appear are opportunistic, unwelcome, or previously hidden.

    Examples

    Beta

    • After the controversial decision, critics came out of the woodwork to voice their opinions.

      After the controversial decision, critics came out of the woodwork to voice their opinions.

    • As soon as the news broke, supporters came out of the woodwork to show their enthusiasm.

      As soon as the news broke, supporters came out of the woodwork to show their enthusiasm.

    • When the charity announced the fundraiser, volunteers came out of the woodwork eager to help.

      When the charity announced the fundraiser, volunteers came out of the woodwork eager to help.

    • In the wake of the scandal, whistleblowers came out of the woodwork to share their stories.

      In the wake of the scandal, whistleblowers came out of the woodwork to share their stories.

Examples:

  • EN: With $15 million at stake, my dear, relatives come out of the woodwork, you'll find.
    ES: Con 15 millones en juego, querida, verá que salen parientes de debajo de las piedras.
  • EN: No matter how many Dago Guinea greaseballs come out of the woodwork!
    ES: iYo no me bajo los pantalones por muchos italianos que vengan a joder!
    ES: ¡No me importa cuántos vengan a intimidarme!
  • EN: That's what's called a bookie. At racetracks they come out of the woodwork.
    ES: ¿Ves el tipo de la chaqueta a cuadros?
  • EN: All the saps come out of the woodwork.
    ES: Todos salen de quién sabe dónde.
  • EN: Look who's just come out of the woodwork.
    ES: Mira quién acaba de aparecer.
  • EN: But if you just so happen to jaywalk, 10 of them will come out of the woodwork.
    ES: Pero si cruzas mal, de pronto aparecen 10 de ellos.
  • EN: Told you someone would come out of the woodwork.
    ES: Les dije que alguien aparecería después de un largo letargo.
  • EN: This has caused other super-people to come out of the woodwork.
    ES: Y esto ha causado que otras súper-personas aparecieran después de un letargo.
  • EN: You, of course, predictably throw a disgusting party... all the freaky freakies come out of the woodwork to protest... and you're out ofhere.
    ES: Uds, por supuesto, como lo predijimos hacen una asquerosa fiesta... todos los fenomenos salen del bosque a protestar... y se van de aqui.
  • EN: Absolutely! ... They all come out of the woodwork, at times like this.
    ES: Por supuesto, en momentos así es cuando más se habla.
  • EN: Especially after your stupid, fucking economy collapses all around you and the terrorist come out of the woodwork and you'll have anthrax in your water supply and serine gas in your air conditioners.
    ES: ¡En especial, cuando la puta economía se venga abajo! ¡Por todas partes! ¡Y los terroristas saldrán de las estructuras!
  • EN: I bet she's bloody Inland Revenue, come out of the woodwork.
    ES: Será de Hacienda. Salen de debajo de las piedras.
  • EN: People come out of the woodwork.
    ES: La gente sale de la nada.
  • EN: Who knows who else will come out of the woodwork and tell me who I am?
    ES: ¿Quién sabe quién más aparecerá para decirme quién soy?
  • EN: Copycats come out of the woodwork every time there's an execution.
    ES: Los imitadores aparecen cada vez que hay una ejecución.

Related Idioms

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Source: Wiktionary