Come/crawl out of the woodwork
phrase
People not seen or heard from in awhile appear because there is an attractive situation.
As soon as it was known that she had won the lottery, her relatives came out of the woodwork.
Often appears as...
- relatives come out of the woodwork
- people come out of the woodwork
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrase
People or problems that were hidden or unnoticed become visible or demand attention.
When he became president, all the problems of the company came out of the woodwork.
Often appears as...
- problems come out of the woodwork
- issues come out of the woodwork
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrase
People not seen or heard from in awhile appear because there is an attractive situation.
As soon as it was known that she had won the lottery, her relatives came out of the woodwork.
Often appears as...
- relatives come out of the woodwork
- people come out of the woodwork
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrase
People or problems that were hidden or unnoticed become visible or demand attention.
When he became president, all the problems of the company came out of the woodwork.
Often appears as...
- problems come out of the woodwork
- issues come out of the woodwork
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Surprise Appearance
The phrase often implies surprise at seeing someone after a long time, especially if unexpected.
After his article went viral, old classmates came out of the woodwork to contact him.
Pro Tip 2/3Hidden Motives
People may seem to come out of nowhere, often because they want something from the situation.
Volunteers came out of the woodwork once the charity offered concert tickets as a reward.
Pro Tip 3/3Opportunistic Context
The phrase is used when people are drawn by an opportunity, not just casually appearing.
When the startup began getting press, investors came out of the woodwork.
Pro Tip 1/3Surprise Appearance
The phrase often implies surprise at seeing someone after a long time, especially if unexpected.
After his article went viral, old classmates came out of the woodwork to contact him.
Pro Tip 2/3Hidden Motives
People may seem to come out of nowhere, often because they want something from the situation.
Volunteers came out of the woodwork once the charity offered concert tickets as a reward.
Pro Tip 3/3Opportunistic Context
The phrase is used when people are drawn by an opportunity, not just casually appearing.
When the startup began getting press, investors came out of the woodwork.
Pro Tip 1/3Surprise Appearance
The phrase often implies surprise at seeing someone after a long time, especially if unexpected.
After his article went viral, old classmates came out of the woodwork to contact him.
Pro Tip 2/3Hidden Motives
People may seem to come out of nowhere, often because they want something from the situation.
Volunteers came out of the woodwork once the charity offered concert tickets as a reward.
Pro Tip 3/3Opportunistic Context
The phrase is used when people are drawn by an opportunity, not just casually appearing.
When the startup began getting press, investors came out of the woodwork.
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