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at cross purposes
01
used to describe a situation in which people or groups have conflicting goals or intentions
What is the origin of the idiom "at cross purposes" and when to use it?
The idiom "at cross purposes" originated from the literal idea of two or more people or groups having conflicting or opposing aims or intentions. The phrase emphasizes a lack of alignment or coordination between individuals or parties, resulting in misunderstandings or ineffective communication. It suggests that the involved parties are unintentionally working against each other, pursuing different goals or objectives that hinder cooperation or progress.
Example
The two political parties were discussing the issue at cross purposes, leading to a stalemate in finding a common solution.
The department heads were working at cross purposes, implementing conflicting strategies that caused confusion among the employees.
