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at cross purposes
01
used to describe a situation in which people or groups have conflicting goals or intentions
Idiom
InformalWhat 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.
Examples
The team members were talking at cross purposes, as each had a different understanding of the project's objectives.
The couple's argument arose from a miscommunication — they were speaking at cross purposes, not truly understanding each other's perspectives.
