fingers crossed

Choose the correct definition a, b or c.

a) to get your fingers broken

Sorry, wrong answer. Please try again.

b) to cross your fingers behind your back

Sorry, wrong answer. Please try again.

c) to hope for good luck

Well done ! That’s the right answer.

Fingers crossed is something you say to hope for good luck or to wish somebody luck.

French translation

Croisons les doigts !

Examples in context

’We’re optimistic and have our fingers crossed you’re going to show up and do your job,’ Mr Paul told about 200 people in Mason City, the final stop of the day.

Daily Mail, British Press Releases, 3rd Jan. 2012

‘Several sources ruled out the possibility that the announcement is about the iPad 3 or Apple TV, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for the next few weeks.’

TechCrunch, Online American Press Releases, Jan. 2012

Everyday usage

I am expecting a letter which I need for tomorrow. I have my fingers crossed I will get it today.

Missed last week’s phrase ? Catch up here

fingers crossed

a) to get your fingers broken

b) to cross your fingers behind your back

c) to hope for good luck

How do you word items on your meeting agendas?

A metaphorical Easter egg is

How do you politely request the floor during a meeting?

What does it mean when someone says you have gravitas?

How do you politely suggest pausing a meeting for a brief break?

Let’s shake things up a bit !

What do you do if you resume a meeting?

It’s going swimmingly

Which is least effective in your presentation slides?

What does a minute-taker do?

to work your socks off

to get someone’s goat

Which is least effective in your presentation slides?

What does a minute-taker do?

to work your socks off

to get someone’s goat

if you catch my drift

for donkey’s years

to make a beeline for something

like a bear with a sore head

to put a project on the back burner

to spread myself thin

a can of worms

egg on your face

a hot potato

a fat cat

under the gun

to have a sweet tooth

to go ape

a bad apple

a bird’s eye view

I’ve got ants in my pants

to pay through the nose

to turn a new leaf

to leave someone high and dry

in apple-pie order

to feel the pinch

too many chiefs and not enough Indians

to give someone rope

hard as nails

a glass cliff

to save one’s bacon

to be the cat’s whiskers

a dead duck

once in a blue moon

to go to town

to chase one’s tail

for a song

to pull one’s socks up

on the sly

to go down memory lane

to put something on ice

revolving door

up in arms

It won’t wash !

to miss the memo

back to square one

a kangaroo court

to rub shoulders

to go to the dogs

a cock-and-bull story

to be on the rocks

to be rolling in it

as sharp as a needle

He is out of the woods

Be there or be square !

neck and neck

Bless your cotton socks

mad as a box of frogs

as high as a kite

to give the rubber stamp

walking on air

to bite the dust

to throw the book at someone

a dummy run

a slowcoach