ProverbChallengeEnglish origin18th c.

Do not holloa till you are out of the wood.

Meaning: Avoid celebrating success prematurely; dangers may persist until you've completely escaped difficult circumstances.

Origin: Recorded from the 18th century. Someone lost in a forest who shouts for joy before reaching open ground may still be in danger, so the advice is not to celebrate until you are truly safe. English still says someone is "not out of the woods yet."

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