At cross purposes definition, an opposing or contrary purpose.

Example: The members of Lord's House fear the two government departments are working at cross purposes.. A Share your thoughts.

♦ at cross-purposes phrase PHR after v, v-link PHR, oft PHR with n The two friends find themselves at cross-purposes with the officials. They had been talking at cross purposes … Idiom definition is - an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (such as up in the air for 'undecided') or in its grammatically atypical use of words (such as give way). at cross-purposes Definition of at cross-purposes : in a way that causes confusion or failure because people are working or talking with different goals or purposes We'll never succeed together if we continue to work at cross-purposes (with each other). ... “We’re talking at cross purposes here. Because idioms don't always make sense literally, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. Select an idiom for more details. An idiom is a phrase or an expression that has a figurative, or sometimes literal, meaning.Categorized as formulaic language, an idiom's figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning. Origin of cross-purpose How to use idiom in a sentence. 3. This idiom, first recorded in 1688, may have begun as a 17th-century parlor game called "cross-purposes," in which a series of subjects (or questions) were divided from their explanations (or answers) and distributed around the room. at cross-purposes. at cross-purposes, in a way that involves mutual misunderstanding or produces mutual frustrations, usu. "At cross-purposes" Posted by R. Berg on May 30, 2007. Talking idioms. at cross-purposes meaning, Definition in idioms dictionary. Idioms for cross-purpose at cross-purposes , in a way that involves or produces mutual misunderstanding or frustration, usually unintentionally. unintentionally. cross-purpose (plural cross-purposes) A contrary or conflicting purpose or understanding, especially an unintentional or misconceived one. Idiom definition, an expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements, as kick the bucket or hang one's head, or from the general grammatical rules of a language, as the table round for the round table, and that is not a constituent of a larger expression of like characteristics. Unwavering firmness of character, action, or will: If two or more people are at cross purposes, they do not understand each other because they are…. cross purposes meaning: 1. cross-purposes , cross purposes If people are at cross-purposes, they do not understand each other because they are working towards or talking about different things without realizing it. at cross purposes - Examples: 1) Very infrequently legal duties will be at cross purposes with stakeholder interest. See more. The Makeup of idioms at cross purposes Meaning: with aims or goals that conflict or interfere with one another. If two or more people are at cross purposes, they do not understand each other because they are…. at cross purposes Meaning: with aims or goals that conflict or interfere with one another. talk at cross purposes To talk with others in a way that promotes or maintains conflict or opposition. English idioms beginning with the letter A. Idiom definition, an expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements, as kick the bucket or hang one's head, or from the general grammatical rules of a language, as the table round for the round table, and that is not a constituent of a larger expression of like characteristics. Example: The members of Lord's House fear the two government departments are working at cross purposes. Learn more. There are thousands of idioms, occurring frequently in all languages. Discover the definition of 'At cross purposes' in our extensive dictionary of English idioms and idiomatic expressions. cross definition: 1. to go across from one side of something to the other: 2.