# cross my heart and hope to die

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cross-my-heart-and-hope-to-die
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Added to a promise or a statement to show how serious one was about being honest in what one said

## Examples

- I promise I will keep your secret, cross my heart and hope to die.
- She told her sister she would never tell anyone, adding, cross my heart and hope to die, to prove she was serious.
- The young child swore that he had not touched the vase, solemnly adding, cross my heart and hope to die, to convince his skeptical parents.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.