Come out of the woodwork
Meaning
To appear suddenly from a previously hidden or unnoticed place or state, often unexpectedly.
Origin
The phrase conjures the vivid image of insects or pests, like termites or cockroaches, scuttling out from the hidden nooks and crannies of a wooden structure when disturbed. Before the advent of modern pest control, it was a common, if unpleasant, sight to see these creatures suddenly emerge from the 'woodwork'—the hidden interior of walls, floors, and furniture. This literal observation of unwanted beings appearing unexpectedly was then metaphorically applied to people or things that suddenly reveal themselves or become active after a period of obscurity, often with the implied sense of being opportunistic or previously overlooked.
Examples
- As soon as the news of the inheritance broke, distant relatives started to come out of the woodwork, all claiming a share.
- After the company announced a major restructuring, several long-forgotten grievances came out of the woodwork, leading to internal disputes.