Phrase guide

fingers crossed

adv · phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • General-American: [fɪŋɡɚz khɹɔst]
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adv

Meaning 1

hopefully

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • We'll make it to the finals, fingers crossed.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

phrase

Meaning 2

Used to express that one is expectant and hoping.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The college application is in the mail. Fingers crossed!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

See cross one's fingers

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: croisons les doigts — expresses that one is expectant
  • French: je/on touche du bois — expresses that one is expectant
  • Russian: держа́ть кулачки́ (deržátʹ kulačkí) — expresses that one is expectant
  • Swedish: hålla tummarna — expresses that one is expectant