THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Keep your fingers crossed
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To hope that something will turn out the way you want.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Keep your fingers crossed that the rain stops before our picnic.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
________ that the rain stops before our picnic.
Show the answer
Keep your fingers crossed — To hope that something will turn out the way you want.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Keep your fingers crossed” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To hope that something will turn out the way you want.
Compare: Keep your fingers crossed that the rain stops before our picnic.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this conversational expression while waiting for an uncertain result or wishing someone luck. It expresses hope rather than confidence that success is certain.
More examples in context
- I am keeping my fingers crossed for a place on the course.
- We kept our fingers crossed while the judges checked the final scores.
Usage note
Change your to my, our or another possessive to match the person. Fingers stays plural. You can also say cross your fingers. The phrase expresses a wish; it does not promise or cause a good result.
A short conversation
A: Have you heard about the interview yet?
B: Not yet. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
A: I hope you get good news soon.
One more practice question
What does “I am keeping my fingers crossed” express?
A. Hope for a favourable result.
B. Certainty that the result is already favourable.
Check your answer
A. The result is still uncertain, and the speaker hopes it will be good.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.