Cross your palm with silver Meaning in English

expression

US

KRAWS yor PAHM with SIL-ver

UK

kross yor PAHM with SIL-vuh

Definition

To give someone money, especially a fortune teller, in exchange for a service or favor. This is an old-fashioned expression often used in the context of paying for fortune telling or sometimes for bribery.

Usage & Nuances

Very old-fashioned and often used in a playful, literary, or ironic way. Most common in the context of fortune telling: 'cross my palm with silver and I’ll tell your future.' Rarely used for actual bribery today. Do not use in everyday transactions.

• Spanish: pagar a alguien (especialmente a un adivino) - dar dinero a cambio de un servicio (expresión antigua)
• Portuguese (BR): dar ou pagar dinheiro (especialmente para ler a sorte) - subornar (expressão antiga)
• Portuguese (PT): dar ou pagar dinheiro (especialmente para quiromantes) - subornar (expressão antiga)
• Chinese (Simplified): （尤指付钱给算命者）付钱 - 行贿（旧式表达）
• Chinese (Traditional): （多指給算命師）付錢 - 行賄（舊時用語）
• Hindi: किसी को पैसे देना (विशेष रूप से ज्योतिषी को) - रिश्वत देना (पुरानी अभिव्यक्ति)
• Arabic: إعطاء المال (غالبًا للعرافين) - رشوة (تعبير قديم)
• Bengali: trả tiền (thường cho thầy bói) - hối lộ (thành ngữ cổ)
• Russian: дать кому-то деньги (обычно гадалке) - дать взятку (устаревшее выражение)
• Japanese: （特に占い師に）お金を払う - 賄賂を渡す（古い表現）
• Vietnamese: trả tiền (thường cho người bói toán) - hối lộ (cách nói cũ)
• Korean: 돈을 주다 (특히 점쟁이에게) - 뇌물을 건네다 (옛 표현)
• Turkish: birine para vermek (özellikle falcıya) - rüşvet vermek (eski deyim)
• Urdu: کسی کو پیسے دینا (خاص طور پر نجومی کو) - رشوت دینا (پرانا محاورہ)
• Indonesian: trả tiền (thường cho thầy bói) - đưa hối lộ (cụm từ cổ)

Example Sentences

If you want to know your future, you must cross your palm with silver.

basic

She asked me to cross her palm with silver before reading my fortune.

basic

The fortune teller will not speak unless you cross her palm with silver.

basic

"Cross my palm with silver and I’ll tell you everything you want to know," the psychic whispered.

natural

He won't give you any information unless you cross his palm with silver.

natural

Back in the day, people believed if you crossed a gypsy's palm with silver, your fortune would be good.

natural