Site Search:
 
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Cross one's fingers?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Sunday



Joined: 19 Oct 2010
Posts: 7
Location: China/Taiwan

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 2:44 am    Post subject: Cross one's fingers? Reply with quote

Dear teacher:
I am a student from Tai Wan, I want to ask a question which confused me these days. I have read a sentence "Let's cross our fingers and and hope get a day off from work", but I don't know the meaning of it."Cross one's finger" is a phrase or an idiom? Thank you for your help!
Very Happy Have a good
day! Sincerely yours
_________________
Smile every day.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
rice07



Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 385

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 4:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you cross your fingers, it means you hope your plans will be successful (sometimes putting one finger across another as a sign of hoping for good luck).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Sunday



Joined: 19 Oct 2010
Posts: 7
Location: China/Taiwan

PostPosted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 10:41 am    Post subject: Thank you! Reply with quote

Thank you for your replay! So it is equal to "look forwaed to"? But which one is more formal or if not, Waht's the difference between them? Thank you very much! Very Happy
_________________
Smile every day.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
Lorikeet



Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1877
Location: San Francisco

PostPosted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 10:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Thank you! Reply with quote

Sunday wrote:
Thank you for your reply! So it is equal to "look forward to"? But which one is more formal or if not, What's the difference between them?


No it is not the same. If you look forward to something, you have a plan that you think you are going to enjoy. "I am looking forward to going on vacation." "I am looking forward to my birthday party." (Not usually, "I am looking forward to seeing the dentist." unless the dentist is your husband or wife or friend or something.)

You cross your fingers when you are hoping that something will turn out well. For example, "John asked Mary if she was going to pass her test. She crossed her fingers and said, 'I hope so.' "
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Sunday



Joined: 19 Oct 2010
Posts: 7
Location: China/Taiwan

PostPosted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 7:37 am    Post subject: Thank you! Reply with quote

Dear teacher,I get it! Thank you very much! Very Happy
_________________
Smile every day.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave
Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map

Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad
SIT
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group