Question

Choose the correct meaning of the given idiom:
We kept our fingers crossed till the final results were declared.

a)waited expectantly
b)kept chanting songs
c)felt scared
d)stayed negative

Answer 1

Hint: The above idiom is a hand gesture commonly used to wish good luck.

Complete step-by-step answer:

An idiom is a phrase or expression which presents a non-literal meaning attached to a situation; idioms are phrases that mirror actual meanings of sentences with the use of metaphors.

The above idiom evolved from the Christian religion, where crossing of fingers is a sign of good luck. It is believed that crossing your fingers prevents bad things from happening. The modern idiom has now evolved to remind people to be patient and positive while expecting results.

Now, let’s look at our options:

a)waited expectantly - This phrase shows patience while waiting for something. This meaning is exactly the same as the above idiom. So, this is the correct answer.
b)kept chanting songs - This is an action that does not describe the above idiom, and its meaning does not align with the given idiom. So, this is an incorrect option.
c)felt scared - This is an unrelated phrase to the given idiom, and it does not mean the same thing as ‘keeping your fingers crossed’. So, this is an incorrect option.
d)stayed negative - This is the exact opposite meaning to the given idiom. It does not align with the idiom ‘keeping your fingers crossed’. So, this is also an incorrect option.

Note: Try to understand the context of the given sentence and choose the correct option accordingly.