Держать кулаки
Derzhat kulaki
Word-for-word
"To hold fists"
English equivalent
"To keep one's fingers crossed"
What does it mean?
To root for someone; to wish someone luck.
Example in use
Russian
Я буду держать за тебя кулаки на экзамене.
Translation
I will keep my fingers crossed for you during the exam.
When to use
Use this when someone has an important event coming up and you want to show your support. It is synonymous with wishing good luck.
Origin & cultural note
It is the standard Russian way to express "good luck". Unlike the Western "fingers crossed" which involves a specific gesture, "fists" are the primary symbol of hoping for success.
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