How do you use "Fingers Crossed" in a sentence?

Fingers crossed they'll say yes! I've applied for the job—fingers crossed. Fingers crossed the weather holds. The test results come back tomorrow, so fingers crossed.

Fingers Crossed

Q: What does "Fingers Crossed" mean?

Hoping for good luck or a good outcome Used to express hope that something will happen. Often accompanied by the physical gesture of crossing fingers. Can also historically mean exempting yourself from a promise (childish).

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: Hoping for good luck or a good outcome

希望好运或好结果

Esperando buena suerte o un buen resultado

幸運や良い結果を願っている

행운을 빌며, 좋은 결과를 바라며

Used to express hope that something will happen. Often accompanied by the physical gesture of crossing fingers. Can also historically mean exempting yourself from a promise (childish).

用来表达希望某事发生。通常伴随着交叉手指的手势。在儿童中也可以表示免除承诺（把交叉的手指放在背后）。

Se usa para expresar esperanza de que algo suceda. A menudo acompañado del gesto físico de cruzar los dedos. También puede significar históricamente eximirse de una promesa (infantil).

何かが起こることを願うのに使う。しばしば指を交差させるジェスチャーと一緒に。子供の間では約束を無効にする意味もある（背中で指を交差させる）。

무언가가 잘 되기를 바란다는 뜻으로, 흔히 손가락을 교차하는 제스처와 함께 사용된다. 역사적으로는 약속을 면제받는다는 의미도 있었다 (어린이들 사이에서).

Literal meaning: Crossing one's index and middle fingers.

Examples

Fingers crossed they'll say yes!
希望他们会同意！
¡Cruzo los dedos para que digan que sí!
いい返事が来るといいな！
승낙해 주면 좋겠다!
I've applied for the job—fingers crossed.
我申请了那份工作——祈祷好运。
Solicité el trabajo—dedos cruzados.
仕事に応募した——指を交差して祈る。
그 일자리에 지원했어—잘 되길 빌어.
Fingers crossed the weather holds.
希望天气能保持好。
Dedos cruzados para que el tiempo aguante.
天気がもつといいな。
날씨가 좋으면 좋겠다.
The test results come back tomorrow, so fingers crossed.
检测结果明天出来，祈祷好运吧。
Los resultados llegan mañana, así que dedos cruzados.
検査結果は明日出るから、祈ってる。
검사 결과가 내일 나와서, 좋은 결과를 빌고 있어.

Pronunciation

/ˈfɪŋɡəz krɒst/

Usage Guide

Context: hope, wishes, uncertainty

Tone: hopeful, optimistic

✓ Do Say

Fingers crossed!
祈祷好运！
¡Dedos cruzados!
祈ってる！
잘 되길 빌어!
I've got my fingers crossed.
我在祈祷好运。
Tengo los dedos cruzados.
指を交差させてる。
행운을 빌고 있어.
Fingers crossed it works out.
希望一切顺利。
Dedos cruzados para que funcione.
うまくいくといいな。
잘 됐으면 좋겠다.

✗ Don't Say

Generally acceptable everywhere
一般到处都能接受
Generalmente aceptable en todas partes
一般的にどこでも使える
일반적으로 어디서나 통용됨
Universal expression
普遍的表达
Expresión universal
普遍的な表現
세계적으로 통하는 표현

Common Mistakes

Children's rule: crossed fingers behind back cancels a promise
Adult usage is just about hope

Origin & History

The crossed fingers gesture may derive from making the sign of the cross for protection, or from pre-Christian beliefs about the intersection point having power. Now a universal gesture of hope.

Etymology: From crossing fingers to invoke luck or divine protection

First recorded: Common expression and gesture, centuries old

Cultural Context

Era: Centuries old

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Used with emoji 🤞 in texting; Universal gesture and phrase

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking countries.

Variations

Fingers crossedKeep your fingers crossedGot my fingers crossed