to appear suddenly and unexpectedly.

If you try to lose weight, people will come out of the woodwork to offer advice.

Usage notes: usually said about someone who was not invited or wanted

Etymology: based on the idea of insects that suddenly come out from under boards in a house where they have been hidden

• the biter bit
• the biter is bit
• the bitter fruits
• the black sheep
• the black sheep of the family
• the blind leading the blind
• the blue blazes
• the boot is on the other foot
• the bottom drops out of the market
• the bottom falls out of the market
• the bottom fell out
• the bottom fell out of
• the bottom fell out of something
• the bottom line
• the bottom of the barrel
• the bottom of the heap
• the bottom of the hour
• the bottom of the ladder
• the boys in blue
• the brains behind
• the brains behind something
• the brass ring
• the bright lights
• the bright side
• the bubble bursts