crosses one's fingers

Verb

cross one's fingers (third-person singular simple present crosses one's fingers, present participle crossing one's fingers, simple past and past participle crossed one's fingers)

1. To put the middle finger across the index finger, especially
   • She was seen crossing her fingers in the wedding photo.
2. when wishing for luck, or
   • I hope everything turns out OK. I'll cross my fingers for you. / I'll cross my fingers that everything turns out OK.
3. when telling a lie (and attempting to escape the moral and other consequence of that lie).
   • Amanda placed her right hand behind her back and crossed her fingers. Her friend Sarah told her if you cross your fingers behind your back when you tell a lie, it's not a lie. Amanda didn't know if she believed that, but she crossed her fingers anyway.2007, Toni White, Ridge Street Home, →ISBN, page 5