To appear or emerge as though out of nowhere, frequently in large numbers or quantity.

Etymology:

  • From the idea of insects crawling out from inside the woodwork in a house.
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He won the lottery last year and he has had old "friends" and distant relatives coming out of the woodwork ever since.

Submitted on September 01, 2009

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    "come out of the woodwork." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/come-out-of-the-woodwork_2980>.

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