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Region: US | Usage example: In this neck of the woods, winters are mild.

Neck of the woods

Meaning

A local area or neighborhood.

Usage

Used to refer to specific regions.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Woodland imagery describing local patches.

Frontier slang from the 19th century.

Related Idioms

Neck and neck

Two competitors are very close in performance.

Out of the woods

No longer in danger or difficulty.

Pain in the neck

Something or someone irritating.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.