Business English from All Ears English BE 474: Everyone's Coming Out of the Woodwork! How to Identify Opportunism in English
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Oct 7, 2025 Join the hosts as they share personal woodworking stories and unpack the idiom 'coming out of the woodwork.' Discover its intriguing origin linked to vermin and how it's used to describe opportunism in the workplace. They offer synonyms that capture similar sentiments and role-play scenarios, revealing how certain team members emerge only when financial incentives are involved. With valuable insights and cautionary advice, this discussion is perfect for navigating high-stakes moments in your career.
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Meaning And Tone Of The Idiom
- "Come out of the woodwork" means people suddenly appear where they weren't before, often unexpectedly.
- The phrase often implies opportunism or negative judgment about motivations.
Collective And Slightly Negative Vibe
- The idiom usually describes groups rather than single people and often carries a slightly negative tone.
- It evokes images of insects or vermin emerging from wood, reinforcing opportunism.
Trader Joe's Crowd Example
- They give a light example: Trader Joe's fall specials draw crowds who suddenly appear.
- This usage shows non-malicious sudden interest, like people wanting seasonal products.