cross one's fingers
Luck-seeking hand sign
To cross one's fingers is to place one finger over another, typically the middle over the index, as a gesture hoping for good luck or a favorable outcome: Cross your fingers that the weather holds.
The gesture supposedly wards off bad luck or invokes protection.
Crossing fingers behind one's back while making a promise is a childish way of negating the promise—signaling to oneself that it doesn't count.
Desiring something hoped-for
- prayerAddress to deity
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- longingIntense, persistent desire
faith · optimism · expectancy · dream · desire · hopefulness · anticipation · confidence
Attractive personal quality
- talismanMagical protective charm
- amuletWorn protective token
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- omenProphetic indicator
jinx · hex · knock on wood · touch wood · evil eye · folk belief · old wives' tale · taboo
Wealth or destiny
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery
- good luckFavorable chance or fortune
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
kismet · fate · destiny · providence · windfall · fluke · lucky break · rabbit's foot
State of anxious unease
- worryTroubled mental state
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- tensionStretched or strained state
dread · uncertainty · jitters · trepidation · suspense · nail-biting · edge of seat · butterflies
wishing
Desiring something hoped-for
- prayerAddress to deity
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
longing · faith · optimism · expectancy · dream · desire · hopefulness · anticipation · confidence · trust
charm
Attractive personal quality
omen · jinx · hex · knock on wood · touch wood · evil eye · folk belief · old wives' tale · taboo · blessing
fortune
Wealth or destiny
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery
- good luckFavorable chance or fortune
blessing · kismet · fate · destiny · providence · windfall · fluke · lucky break · rabbit's foot · four-leaf clover
nervousness
State of anxious unease
- worryTroubled mental state
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- uneaseMild persistent worry
tension · dread · uncertainty · jitters · trepidation · suspense · nail-biting · edge of seat · butterflies · restlessness
cross one's fingersguarantee
Formal promise of fulfillment
take it to the bank · count on it · be positive · rest assured · bank on it
cross one's fingersleave nothing to chance
take matters into one's own hands · take action · make it happen · cover all bases · put in the work
cross, crosses, crossed, crossing, crosser, finger, fingers, fingered, fingering