Advertisement
Advertisement
cross-purpose
[ kraws-pur-puhs, kros- ]
noun
- an opposing or contrary purpose.
cross-purpose
noun
- a contrary aim or purpose
- at cross-purposesconflicting; opposed; disagreeing
yĐÄvlog History and Origins
Origin of cross-purpose1
Idioms and Phrases
- at cross-purposes, in a way that involves or produces mutual misunderstanding or frustration, usually unintentionally.
Example Sentences
While the two political heavyweights have already worked at cross-purposes, Pritzker's omission further underscored a frustration by party leaders in Washington who Democrats across the ideological spectrum have criticized variously as feckless, uninspiring and cowardly.
He then talked about the last several decades watching from the front line as the nationâs contradictory, cross-purposes approach to immigration haphazardly played out.
But this new âAmerican Idiotâ seems at cross-purposes with itself.
Israelâs vow to resume the war is at cross-purposes with Arab countries who negotiated the hostage release and want the temporary truce to evolve into a more lasting cease-fire.
Most Americans donât think about how different levels of the government â local, state, federal â are at cross-purposes with each other, and that these various levels often turn the other way or even encourage vigilante violence.
Advertisement
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American HeritageŸ Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse