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
Benoitben-WAHFrench
Benjamin['bendʒəmin]
WilkieWIL-keeEnglish
AxelAHK-sel (German)Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, German
Ashton['æʃtən]
Peer-Danish, Norwegian, Swedish