At cross purposes
an opposing or contrary purpose.
at cross-purposes, in a way that involves or produces mutual misunderstanding or frustration, usually unintentionally.
noun
a contrary aim or purpose
at cross-purposes, conflicting; opposed; disagreeing
With aims or goals that conflict or interfere with one another, as in I’m afraid the two departments are working at cross purposes. 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. Players then created absurdities by combining a subject taken from one person with an explanation taken from another.
Read Also:
- Cross-purpose
an opposing or contrary purpose. at cross-purposes, in a way that involves or produces mutual misunderstanding or frustration, usually unintentionally. Historical Examples I am not prone on my green couch, frayed, frazzled, bowed-down in spirit from a day of frightful stress and cross-purpose. I, Mary MacLane Mary MacLane If we find every fact of life […]
- Death
the act of ; the end of life; the total and permanent cessation of all the vital functions of an organism. Compare . an instance of this: a death in the family; letters published after his death. the state of being dead: to lie still in death. extinction; destruction: It will mean the death of […]
- At death's door
the act of ; the end of life; the total and permanent cessation of all the vital functions of an organism. Compare . an instance of this: a death in the family; letters published after his death. the state of being dead: to lie still in death. extinction; destruction: It will mean the death of […]
- At discretion
the power or right to decide or act according to one’s own judgment; freedom of judgment or choice: It is entirely within my discretion whether I will go or stay. the quality of being discreet, especially with reference to one’s own actions or speech; prudence or decorum: Throwing all discretion to the winds, he blurted […]
- Double
twice as large, heavy, strong, etc.; twofold in size, amount, number, extent, etc.: a double portion; a new house double the size of the old one. composed of two like parts or members; twofold in form; paired: double doors; a double sink. of, relating to, or suitable for two persons: a double room. twofold in […]