Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Fingers Crossed: Meaning, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：hope for success (Fingers crossed)

Fingers crossed 🔊

/ˈfɪŋɡəz krɒst/

v-phr

To make a gesture or express hope that something good will happen.

Person crossing fingers with hopeful smile for success

hope for success 🔊

➕

/hoʊp fɔːr səkˈses/

v-phr

To cross one's fingers as a gesture, or to verbally express the hope that something will turn out well.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From the gesture of crossing fingers as a symbol of the Christian cross for blessing.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine crossing your fingers like an 'X' that marks a wish.

📖 Example

The exam results come out tomorrow, fingers crossed you get an A! 🔊 The exam results come out tomorrow, fingers crossed you get an A!

🔗 Collocations

keep your fingers crossed – to hope that something will happen in the way you want

cross one's fingers – to make the gesture of crossing fingers for luck

with fingers crossed – while hoping for a good outcome

🔄 Synonyms

hope (v) – to want something to happen or be true

pray (v) – to express a wish to God or a higher power

wish (v) – to desire something that is unlikely to happen

🚫 Antonyms

dread (v) – to anticipate with fear or anxiety

expect the worst (phrase) – to assume a negative outcome

despair (v) – to lose all hope

📖 Cultural Story

The phrase 'fingers crossed' originates from the ancient Christian practice of making the sign of the cross to invoke God's protection. Over time, it became a secular gesture for hoping good luck.

Meaning 2：wish for good luck (Fingers crossed)

Fingers crossed 🔊

/ˈfɪŋɡəz krɒst/

v-phr

To show you are hoping for a good result but you are not completely sure.

Person sitting on sofa crossing fingers while waiting for call

wish for good luck 🔊

➕

/wɪʃ fɔːr ɡʊd lʌk/

v-phr

Used to indicate that one is hoping for a favorable outcome, often said casually.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

He said he’ll try to come to the party tonight, fingers crossed. 🔊 He said he'll try to come to the party tonight, fingers crossed.

🔗 Collocations

fingers crossed – an expression of hope for a positive result

cross your fingers for someone – to hope something good happens to someone

with fingers crossed behind the back – while secretly hoping something will not happen (often used for a lie)

🔄 Synonyms

hope (v) – to want something to happen

trust (v) – to have confidence that something will happen

keep one's fingers crossed (phrase) – to express hope for good luck

🚫 Antonyms

fear (v) – to be afraid of a bad outcome

worry (v) – to feel anxious about a possible negative result