cross one's heart

The phrase 'cross one's heart' is often used to emphasize honesty or sincerity in promises, with roots in religious practices.

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Definition

B2Everyday Conversation

(informal)To make a sincere promise or assurance, often with a gesture of crossing one's heart.

Example

  • I cross my heart, I won't tell anyone your secret.
  • Cross my heart, I'll be there on time.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "cross one's heart":

cross one's fingerscrossed fingerspinky swearpinky promiseon one's honorfingers crossedswear downswear byheart to heartwith all one's heart