cross my heart
A declaration that the speaker is telling the truth.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I will return your book tomorrow, cross my heart.”
“I am telling the truth about the money, cross my heart.”
“I cross my heart that I will be there to help you move.”
“I did not break your favorite vase, cross my heart and hope to die.”
“I promise to keep your secret safe and won't tell anyone at the office, cross my heart.”
“You can trust me to pick up the kids on time today, cross my heart and hope to die.”
“I have no idea who ate your lunch from the shared fridge, cross my heart, because I brought my own meal today.”
“She looked him directly in the eyes and, cross my heart, swore that she had never seen the missing documents before that moment.”
A shortened form of the oath "cross my heart and hope to die," with the physical gesture of making the sign of the cross over the chest serving as a silent witness to one's sincerity. While the full phrase is not recorded in print until the mid-19th century, the truncated version serves as a verbal shorthand for the same underlying commitment to the truth, however precarious.
- 01
absence makes the heart grow fonder
One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.
- 02
all heart
Motivated by positive emotions, especially as productive of exceptionally generous or kind behavior.
- 03
be still my heart
An admonition to oneself to calm down when overly excited, especially in terms of romantic attraction.
- 04
break someone's heart
To cause a person to feel grief, disappointment, or sadness.
- 05
broken heart
A feeling of grief or loss, especially after a failed romantic relationship.
- 06
change of heart
A change of one's opinion, belief or decision.
- 07
come home by weeping cross
To return in disappointment, or in a spirit of contrition.
- 08
cross my heart and hope to die
Added to a promise or a statement to show how serious one was about being honest in what one said
Last updated August 10, 2026