Fingers crossed

Meaning

The idiom "fingers crossed" is used to express a hope or desire that something will happen in the future. It's often used as a way of wishing for good luck, safety, or success. The phrase is often accompanied by crossing one's fingers in a superstitious gesture that is believed to bring good fortune.

Usage

• "I hope the new boss at work will be kind to us, fingers crossed!"
• "I'm excited for the upcoming concert, fingers crossed that the tickets aren't sold out yet."
• "I wish I could win the lottery, fingers crossed that I get lucky this time around."
• "I hope you feel better soon, fingers crossed that you can recover from your illness quickly."
• "I wish my favorite sports team would win the championship, fingers crossed that they make it to the finals!"

Roots and History

The phrase "fingers crossed" has its roots in ancient times when people believed that by crossing their fingers, they could summon the gods' favor and good luck. The earliest known use of the idiom can be traced back to the Middle Ages when it was used as a way of wishing for rain and other forms of precipitation to water crops and irrigate fields. Over time, the phrase evolved to mean wishing for more than just rain, but rather for anything positive that might happen in the future.

Synonyms in English

• "Good luck!"
• "Keep your fingers crossed!"
• "I hope you're lucky!"
• "I'm rooting for you!"
• "I wish you the best of luck!"

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Bonjour mes amis, je vous vois avec les doigts croisés pour votre bonheur et vos succès!" (Hello my friends, I see you with crossed fingers for your happiness and success!)
• Italian: "Mi piace molto ti saluti con le dita aperte, spero che sia stato un buon anno per te." (I like to greet you with open hands, hoping it was a good year for you.)
• Spanish: "Te estoy enviando energías positivas y esperando que tengas un año de suerte!" (I am sending you positive energy and hoping you have a lucky year!)
• German: "Ich zulege meinen Gutten Tag und hoffe, dass alles gut läuft." (I wish you a good day and hope everything goes well.)
• Japanese: 「今日は幸せになるようになりますか？」(Kyou wa shiawase ni narimasu ka?) (Will today be a lucky day for you?)

Similar Idioms

• keep your nose clean

• sleep tight

• fast food