Touch wood

Most of us also have the feeling that if things are going well, too well, something is wrong or is bound to go wrong, and  to guard against this change in fortune, that they use the phrase ‘touch wood’.
Today ‘touch wood’ is a common English expression, and its American equivalent is ‘Knock on wood’.

Although it is likely  that the belief is connected to a religious belief of superstition, its exact origin is uncertain and there are many theories , although most of them revolve around either the power of trees to drive away bad luck or as a sign of respect to the Gods who are said to have blessed the trees with these powers. Thus wood has since ancient times been associated with the Gods, magic, good fortune and even safety.