Idioms

Keep your fingers crossed

When you make a wish, you might cross your fingers (middle and index fingers) as this traditionally brings good luck.

If someone tells you they have applied for something and you want to wish them well, you can say: Good luck. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

You might send a short message to someone expecting news about something important simply saying: Fingers crossed.

Many cultures seem to regard cross shapes of various types as lucky. The gesture is probably older than Christianity. Naturally, the importance of the cross to Christianity will have greatly strengthened the positive feeling connected to this idea.

The other use of crossed fingers, though, seems positively unreligious.