cross (redirected from keep fingers crossed)

at cross-purposes

if two people are at cross-purposes, they do not understand each other because they are trying to do or say different things but they do not know this. I think we're talking at cross-purposes here. You mean the old building, but I was talking about the new one.

cross your fingers

to hope that things will happen in the way you want them to. We're crossing our fingers and hoping that the weather stays fine. Keep your fingers crossed, everyone, Jane's only got to answer one more question. (often an order)

See also: finger

cross your mind

if an idea or thought crosses your mind, you think about it for a short time. The thought did cross my mind that she might be taking drugs. (often + that) The idea of failure never crossed his mind. (often negative)

See also: mind

Cross my heart (and hope to die).

something that you say in order to emphasize that something is true. I want to go to the party with you, not Sarah - cross my heart!

See also: heart

cross someone's path

to meet someone, especially by accident. If he ever crosses my path again, I'll kill him.

See also: path

cross swords with someone

to argue with someone. We don't always agree, in fact I've crossed swords with her several times at committee meetings.

See also: sword

cross the line

if someone crosses the line they start behaving in a way that is not socially acceptable. Players had crossed the line by attacking fans on the pitch.

See also: line

cross the Rubicon (formal)

to do something which will have very important results, which cannot be changed later. International pressure may be able to prevent the country crossing the Rubicon to authoritarian rule.

a cross (someone has) to bear (British & Australian, American & Australian)

an unpleasant situation or responsibility that you must accept because you cannot change it. Someone has to look after mother and because I live the closest it's a cross I have to bear.

See also: bear

dot the/your i's and cross the/your t's (informal)

to do something very carefully and in a lot of detail. She writes highly accurate reports - she always dots her i's and crosses her t's.

See also: dot

Everyone has their cross to bear.

a cross (someone has) to bear - an unpleasant situation or responsibility that you must accept because you cannot change it. I hate my red hair and pale skin, but everyone has their cross to bear.

See also: bear, everyone, has

I'll/We'll cross that bridge when I/we come to it.

something that you say in order to tell someone that you will not worry about a possible problem but will deal with it if it happens. 'What if the flight is delayed?' 'I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.'

See also: bridge, come, I'll, that

someone's paths cross

if two people's paths cross, they meet by chance. It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope our paths cross again soon.

See also: path

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at cross purposes

1. with different intentions. The two groups of advisors seemed to be working at cross purposes during this crisis.

2. in ways that are opposed to each other. The relief effort was characterized by a tendency to work at cross purposes instead of everyone working together.

See also: purpose

cross your fingers

to hope for good luck. At this point, they can only stand back, cross their fingers and wait to see if the fireworks go off perfectly.

Etymology: based on the practice, esp. of children, to put one finger over the next one either as a sign of hope for good luck or to avoid punishment

See also: finger

cross your mind

to come into your thoughts as a possibility. It never crossed my mind that George might be lying.

See also: mind

cross your path

to happen to you. If you only write about whatever crosses your path each day, your writing may not be very interesting to most readers.

See also: path

cross swords (with someone)

to argue with someone. The candidates crossed swords on several issues, including taxes, guns and immigration.

See also: sword

cross that bridge when you come to it

to not worry about a possible problem until it becomes an actual problem. I might need a lawyer, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Usage notes: also used in the form cross the bridge or cross a bridge to begin to deal with a problem: We crossed the bridge when we decided we needed to discuss these issues.

See also: bridge, come, that

cross the line

1. to change from being acceptable to being unacceptable. I thought the jokes crossed the line and were basically embarrassing.

2. to do something wrong. If you steal someone's idea, you have absolutely crossed the line.

See also: line

cross the Rubicon

to make a decision that cannot be changed later. When I quit editing and decided to be a writer, I had crossed the Rubicon to an uncertain future.

Etymology: based on Julius Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon River in 49 B.C.E., which began a war

in the cross hairs

in a position to be criticized or attacked. Her independence put her in the cross hairs of some local politicians.

Usage notes: usually the situation results from holding opinions that are not popular or are too independent

caught in the middle

caught in the crossfire

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of cross hairs (= crossed lines used to aim a gun)

See also: hair