Meaning
An expression of hope for good luck or a positive outcome.
Primary Function
Hopeful expectation
Communicative Purpose
To wish for a good result, often while waiting
Pattern
Fingers crossed!
Core Structure
Fingers crossed!
Função primária
Hopeful expectation
Propósito comunicativo
To wish for a good result, often while waiting
Situações de gatilho
Waiting for exam results, job application, risky situation
Contextos
Everyday, conversational
Padrão
Fingers crossed!
Estrutura central
Fingers crossed!
Slots de substituição
none
Colocados típicos
- hope
- luck
- outcome
- success
Substituições comuns
- Wish me luck
- Touch wood (UK – to avoid jinx)
Erros comuns
Using "crossing my fingers for you" may be wordy; "fingers crossed" is fine.
Similar / contraste
Let's hope for the best, Here's hoping, Good vibes
Interferências
"Fingers crossed" is a superstition but widely used as idiom.
Família do chunk
- Superstitious hopes: Touch wood
- Knock on wood
- Good juju
Nuance
Optimistic but acknowledges uncertainty.
Efeito pragmático
Bonds speaker and listener in hope.
Dica de memória
crossed fingers
Nota
This expression is often used when the outcome is uncertain and the speaker hopes for a positive result.
Upgrade path
Wish me luck → Fingers crossed → Keep everything crossed for me.
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