crossing fingers
Superstitious luck signal
Crossing fingers is a gesture of hope or good luck, made by placing one finger over another.
You cross your fingers when wishing for a favorable outcome: I'm crossing my fingers that the test results come back negative.
The gesture also secretly negates a promise or oath—children cross fingers behind their backs while lying, as if it cancels the dishonesty.
Fingers crossed expresses the same hopeful sentiment.
- luckChance affecting outcomes
- good luckFavorable chance or fortune
- hopeDesire for good outcomes
- wishYearned-for outcome
- making a wishExpressing a desire
hoping for the best · wishful thinking · superstition · promise · lying · little white lie · oath · sneaky · gesture · nervous habit · good fortune · anticipation · wishing · hopeful · prayer · charm · talisman · behind back
- customscustoms, customs clearance, wedding custom, customs declaration, burial custom
- lucky charmslucky horseshoe, rabbit foot, lucky coin, four leaf clover, good luck charm
- superstitionssuperstition, superstitions, hexes, black cats, broken mirror
- gambling superstitionsgambler's fallacy, blowing on dice, hot streak, cold streak, beginner's luck
- anticipationanticipating, expectation, expectancy, expecting, awaiting
- fidgetingfidgeting, fidget, tapping, fiddle, twiddle
crossing fingerssworn oath
Formal binding promise
pinky promise · solemn vow · handshake deal · blood oath · scout's honor
crossing fingerstempting fate
Risking bad outcomes recklessly
knocking on wood · fatalism · courting disaster · que sera sera · throwing caution to the wind
cross, crossing, crossings, crossed, crosses, crosser, crisscross, crosswise, crossroad