hold your thumbs

hold (one's) thumbs

To maintain hope that something will happen or be the case. Can be accompanied by a gesture in which one literally brings one's fingers down over the thumb. Primarily heard in South Africa. The team's manager will be holding thumbs that his star player will be healthy enough to play on Saturday. I hope we get the account, but don't hold your thumbs. If you didn't study for the test, I wouldn't hold your thumbs for a good grade.

See also: hold, thumb

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

hold your thumbs

fold your fingers over your thumbs to bring good luck; hope for luck or success. South African

1987 Sunday Times (South Africa) They say they are holding thumbs for her and praying that the pregnancy will be trouble-free.

See also: hold, thumb

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