Fingers crossed means I'm hoping for good luck: The interview is tomorrow. Fingers crossed! The gesture is crossing your index and middle fingers, but in a text the words alone are enough. Children hide crossed fingers behind their back when they tell a lie, but said out loud, the phrase is always about hope.
When would you say fingers crossed?
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Fingers crossed!; keep your fingers crossed for someone; fingers crossed that + clause
- The interview is tomorrow. Fingers crossed!
- I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a clear evening so we can see the stars.
- Fingers crossed that the replacement part arrives before the weekend.
What changed
First versionKeep your fingers crossing for me tomorrow.
RevisionKeep your fingers crossed for me tomorrow.
Keep is often followed by -ing, as in keep trying, so crossing seems natural. But the fingers are already crossed, it's a state: keep your fingers crossed, like keep the door closed. Replace crossing with crossed.
Good luck is a direct wish to someone going into an exam. Fingers crossed is hope that things will work out, for yourself or others: Fingers crossed that the part arrives. Once the result is known and it's good, people say Congratulations!
Your turn
The decision has not arrived yet, but you hope for a good result: Fingers ___!
Show the answer
crossed — The fingers are already crossed, so crossed. Crossing would describe the act of crossing them.
Support a friend who is waiting to hear back after a job interview or a flat viewing. Use fingers crossed.
Fingers crossed that you get the apartment with the sunny balcony.
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