be (not) out of the woods



be (not) out of the woods

To have endured a difficult, unpleasant, or uncertain situation. This phrase is used in the negative when a situation has improved but is not entirely resolved. For a while, it looked like our school was going to have to close, but thanks to an anonymous donor, we're out of the woods now. These blood test results are a good sign, but you're not out of the woods just yet.
See also: of, out, wood

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
GÖKer-Turkish
Lauryn-English (Modern)
Agda-Swedish
Alcide-Italian
Ayda-Arabic
Minakshi-Hinduism, Indian, Hindi