burn bread

From the idea that burning bread brings bad luck or is indicative of unfortunate things to come.

• "I don't mean to burn bread on the guy, but if LaT cares to press it, he could be living in a dumpster before he gets too much older."
• "“Si, I'll set up the meeting. I want you plugged in with the Cubans. Just in case something was to ever happen to me.” Rico shot his brother a scornful. “Listen, I got no problem wit' none a dat shit you talking, but I ain't trying' hear dat' just in case something happen' to you bullshit … you need to stop talking dat stupid shit fo'real. You only burnin' bread on yourself.”"
• "“Yo' ass gon' get fired.” “No, I'm not. Don't be burning bread on me like that.” Gray knocked on wood. “Besides, I've been working my ass off. […]”"
• ""[…] I was just playing, but I see you've seen it through, just like that famous lawyer who played mind games on his wife." ¶ "Yeah. Well what happened?" Randol asked. ¶ "He got caught, darling. Be careful." ¶ "Hey, don't burn bread. I'm not like that stupid lawyer. […]""

• knock on wood