cross my fingers

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used to say that you hope something will happen or to ask for good luck.

   Grammar: Used as a fixed phrase, often at the end of a sentence or on its own. It does not change form.

   Patterns

   • I'm crossing my fingers for someone
   • cross my fingers that something happens

   I'm crossing my fingers for you in the final exam tomorrow.

   Cross my fingers that the weather stays nice for the picnic.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Said when you are not being completely honest, as if asking to be excused for a small lie.

   Grammar: Often said after a statement that is not fully true, sometimes while actually crossing the fingers behind the back.

   Patterns

   • cross my fingers, but ...

   I told him I liked his painting, cross my fingers.

   She said she had finished her homework, cross my fingers.

Common combinations

cross my fingers for you

I'll cross my fingers for you at the interview.

cross my fingers that

We're crossing our fingers that the train is on time.

keep my fingers crossed

Keep your fingers crossed for good news.

cross my fingers behind my back

He crossed his fingers behind his back while making the promise.

Synonyms and how they differ

keep your fingers crossed

This is a very similar expression meaning to hope for good luck, but it is more common in everyday speech and can be used for someone else.

wish someone luck

This is a direct way to say you hope someone succeeds; it does not have the playful or slightly dishonest meaning of crossing your fingers.

Commonly confused: cross my fingers or cross your heart?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “cross my fingers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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