˜yĐÄvlog

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cross-purpose

[ kraws-pur-puhs, kros- ]

noun

  1. an opposing or contrary purpose.


cross-purpose

noun

  1. a contrary aim or purpose
  2. at cross-purposes
    conflicting; opposed; disagreeing
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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˜yĐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of cross-purpose1

First recorded in 1660–70
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Idioms and Phrases

  1. at cross-purposes, in a way that involves or produces mutual misunderstanding or frustration, usually unintentionally.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

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.

From

He then talked about the last several decades watching from the front line as the nation’s contradictory, cross-purposes approach to immigration haphazardly played out.

From

But this new “American Idiot” seems at cross-purposes with itself.

From

Israel’s 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.

From

Most Americans don’t think about how different levels of the government — local, state, federal — are at cross-purposes with each other, and that these various levels often turn the other way or even encourage vigilante violence.

From

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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.

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