fingers crossed

/ˈfɪŋɡɚz ˈkrɒst/

phrase★Intermediate💡 hopeful expectation◆idiom

◆ What It Really Means

Expressing hope or optimism for a favorable outcome.

¶ Literal Meaning

The physical act of crossing one's fingers.

Literal Breakdown

fingersthe digits on the hand+crossedintersected or overlapped

◇ Mental Image

The mental image of crossing one's fingers as a symbolic gesture to invoke luck or hope.

◈ When to Use

A friend is about to take an important exam and says, 'Fingers crossed for you!' to express their hope that the exam goes well.

◉ Cultural Note

The phrase is rooted in superstition and has been used in English for centuries, often associated with children's games and playful optimism.

informal

An expression of hope that something will happen favorably.

She kept her fingers crossed for good weather on her wedding day.

She hoped for good weather on her wedding day.

We're all keeping our fingers crossed that the project will succeed.

We're all hoping the project will succeed.

💡

This phrase is often accompanied by the physical gesture of crossing one's fingers.

Synonyms

to maintain hope for a favorable outcome

to avoid jinxing a hopeful situation

The phrase is often used with the actual gesture of crossing one's fingers, especially in informal or playful contexts.

Use 'fingers crossed' in informal settings, such as casual conversations or friendly interactions, rather than formal or professional contexts.

The phrase originates from the medieval superstition that crossing one's fingers could ward off evil or bring good luck.

This phrase is commonly used in informal contexts to express hope or optimism about an uncertain outcome.

English Dictionary