keep one\'s fingers crossed

Are you using the idiom keep one\'s fingers crossed but not sure about its meaning? Using idioms, which are important elements of spoken and written language, in the right place strengthens your language skills. Examine the meaning of the keep one\'s fingers crossed idiom and the situations in which it is used.

Meaning of "keep one\'s fingers crossed"

Meaning

The phrase ‘keep one’s fingers crossed’ is an idiom typically used when one wants a particular outcome from a situation or event. It is derived from a superstition in which a person creating a sign of crossing their fingers in the hopes of transferring good luck to whoever is performing the task, usually in order to increase the chances of a positive result. As such, the phrase is often used when a person is wishing for luck or success when something is out of their control.

Etymology

The phrase ‘keep one’s fingers crossed’ originated from a superstitious practice of crossing one’s fingers and saying prayers in order to obtain good luck. The superstition may have emerged from early Christian practices, as crossing one’s fingers was seen as an imitation of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and thus, an invocation of the power of God. This superstition has been in use since the Middle Ages, but the phrase ‘keep one’s fingers crossed’ was not popularized until the 19th century.

Usage

The phrase ‘keep one’s fingers crossed’ is used in a wide variety of contexts, though the main uses are in references to wishing for good luck or success in an endeavour. This phrase can be used to express hope for an outcome that is not under one’s control, such as in a competition or audition. It can also be used when one is conversely hoping that something undesirable does not occur; for example, ‘I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn’t rain tomorrow’. The phrase is often used when one is trying to remain optimistic despite difficult or uncertain circumstances.

Example Sentences

• I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get the job.
• She kept her fingers crossed the entire time she was taking the test.
• I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the project goes according to plan.
• We kept our fingers crossed that the weather would hold.

Idioms have a common language

"The early bird catches the worm" is an English idiom that means that those who wake up early and start their day early are more likely to succeed. A similar idiom in Spanish is "El que madruga, Dios le ayuda," which translates to "God helps those who rise early." This idiom emphasizes the importance of starting the day early in order to achieve success.