keep your fingers crossed

Meaning

This phrase means to hope for good luck or a positive outcome in a specific situation. It comes from the physical gesture of crossing one's fingers for luck. It is used in casual conversations to show support, optimism, or anxiety about a future event.

Examples

• I have my job interview tomorrow, so please keep your fingers crossed for me.

  I have my job interview tomorrow, so please keep your fingers crossed for me.

• We're keeping our fingers crossed that the weather stays nice for the outdoor wedding.

  We're keeping our fingers crossed that the weather stays nice for the outdoor wedding.

• I kept my fingers crossed the entire time they were announcing the test results.

  I kept my fingers crossed the entire time they were announcing the test results.

• Keep your fingers crossed; we might actually win the championship this year.

  Keep your fingers crossed; we might actually win the championship this year.

• She's keeping her fingers crossed that her flight won't be delayed again.

  She's keeping her fingers crossed that her flight won't be delayed again.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will cross my fingers for you.

  ✓ I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

  While 'cross your fingers' is used, 'keep your fingers crossed' is the more natural, idiomatic way to express ongoing hope.

• ✗ Keep your finger crossed.

  ✓ Keep your fingers crossed.

  The word 'fingers' must always be plural in this idiom.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I really hope I get the apartment; ___ for me!

  💡 Wish me good luck.

  Show answer

  keep your fingers crossed

• They are ___ that the surgery goes well tomorrow.

  💡 Hoping for a positive outcome.

  Show answer

  keeping their fingers crossed