Join In
Twitter
YouTube
Weekly Newsletter
Libraries
A-Z Grammatical Terms
A-Z Confused Words
FAQs by Writers
A-Z Awkward Plurals
Punctuation Lessons
Common Mistakes
(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
Cross Your Fingers (Origin)
What Is the Origin of the Saying "Cross Your Fingers"?
The term "cross your fingers" means to hope for good luck.Table of Contents
- English Proverbs and Idioms Test
- More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms

Examples of Use:
- This mountain pass can be dangerous in the rain. Cross your fingers that the weather stays good.
- The promotions are being announced this afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed that you're on the list.
- Good luck for tomorrow's exam. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Competing Theory
To avoid persecution, early Christians used this gesture as a way of acknowledging each other secretly.Crossing Fingers (Physical Gesture)
The gesture of crossing your fingers is used to negate a promise or a lie. For example:- "I did not take the last biscuit," Janet said with crossed fingers behind her back. (Janet knows this is a lie. Her crossed fingers are meant to protect her from the consequences of lying. If later accused of lying, Janet would say "I had my fingers crossed.")
- "I promise I will pay you back on Monday," Janet said with crossed fingers behind her back. (Janet knows she might not fulfil this promise. Her crossed fingers are meant to protect her from the consequences of breaking a promise. If later challenged on breaking this promise, Janet would say "I had my fingers crossed.")
Previous and Next Sayings
English Proverbs and Idioms Test
More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms
Help Us Improve Grammar Monster
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
Find Us Quicker!
- When using a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing), you will find Grammar Monster quicker if you add #gm to your search term.
Next lesson >