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
Ayaneah-yah-neJapanese
Jenkins['dʒeŋkinz]
Raniya-Arabic
Jenifer
Oddo-Italian
Yevdokiyayev-dah-KEE-yah, eev-dah-KEE-yahRussian